Senior Discount, Anyone?

I deserve a senior discount. I really, really deserve one. Uh, hold on there a minute, folks. Don’t get the idea I’m announcing I’m now officially eligible for that cheaper cup of coffee or ten percent discount at the check outs on Wednesdays. Sadly, that day will come all too soon. (Some days I feel it’s just around the corner…!)

No, what I’m talking about is a high school senior discount. As some of you may know, I’m the mother of triplets who are currently high school seniors -- twelfth graders in the throes of ‘senioritis’ -- and all the lovely symptoms that come with the affliction. I mean condition.

Think about it for a minute. ACT, PSAT, FAFSA. All those acronyms in triplicate! Triple the college visits, triple the number of graduation announcements, triple the hormones and the ‘tudes. Like I said, I deserve a senior discount. (And a long vacation)

The other day senior pictures were scheduled. Times three, remember. I didn’t know who to feel sorrier for: me or the photographer. Me, for trying to get everyone ready and there on time. Makeup? Check. Brush and comb? Check. Different outfits? Check. Shoes for said outfits? Check. Directions to the photographer’s rustic country location? Yikes! Okay so I ended up getting lost. (The only reason we weren’t late was because I was judging the time from the clock in the car and it was off by more than thirty minutes.) The photogrpaher had it little better. He ended up toting his camera back and forth a gazillion times for the outdoor shots -- narrowly escaping head trauma from a bunch of walnuts dislodged and sent plummeting earthward by an inquisitive squirrel--and exhibited Job-like patience waiting for the various changes of apparel. And changes of mind about backgrounds. And props. Or whether to smile or not to smile. Or rest a chin in a hand or cross arms or sit, stand, lie, lean… All in triplicate, of course. Whew!

We were finishing up for the night and down to the last picture. “Join us, Mom, for the last picture,” the triplets urged as I sat slumped in the tall director’s chair prop. “Please!” They chorused.

I gave them a ‘get real’ look. I had on scruffy jeans and a hoodie. My forehead was raw from all the forehead rubbing. What little hair I had left was standing straight up. And I had a little ‘tude of my own.

“Maybe next time,” I said.

“But we’re only graduating once, Mom!” they reminded me.

I smiled then. Broadly. Warmly. Wickedly. Times three.

“Now that’s the smile we’re looking for!” the photographer exclaimed.

And know what? That senior discount is looking better and better all the time.

So, how do you feel about growing old? Or older? What about your children growing up and moving on? Looking forward to it? Or fighting it every step of the way?

Oh, before I sign off for today I want to congratulate Linda H for being the winner of our first Killer Fiction prize package. I’ll be sending the goodies out to Linda this weekend! Congrats again, Linda, and thanks for visiting our Killer Fiction Writers blog! Come back often!

And make sure you all drop in this Saturday. Our Killer Fiction guest blogger is Dorchester Debut author, Angie Fox. Angie’s first book, THE ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER, will be out in August, ’08. She’ll blog about her ‘sale’ story and 'the call' so make sure you stop in and check it out!

See you next week!

~Bullet Hole Bacus~