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Alone in the Playland  

She was the only kid in the McDonald’s Playland.

Apparently, it happens a lot.

Alexa is nine.  Her dad lives in one town, her mom in another,  17 miles away.  She was the only child in the McDonald’s Playland until we arrived with our two grandkids.   Though they are younger than Alexa, she chatted them up.  My wife and I, as well while we waited for our order.

By the time I arrived with our tray of food, Alexa had seated herself at our table and stayed there for the entire duration of our meal.  She seemed plenty hungry—but not for food.

“I’m a Video gamer,” blurted Alexa.  Her preference?  “Games where you shoot people.”  She does not tire of McDonald’s food, even though she spends many hours a week there.  “Yogurt is my favorite,” she informed.

Alexa wore a brightly colored shirt featuring a whimsical cat driving a yellow Volkswagen Beetle.  She pointed out her dad who was seated in a glassed off party room, some thirty feet away.  Dad was glued to his phone, which was glued to the wall, charging.

Following our meal, Alexa joined our two kids climbing the plastic structures and sliding through tubes.  When it was time to wrap up, Alexa had questions: “Are you leaving?  Why?  Are you coming back?”  We told her we’d come back, because we camp in the area.  “So you will come back?” she asked as much as stated.  And then it was time to leave.

My wife took our two grandkids to the bathroom as Alexa went to be with her dad.  She threaded her arm around his, as little girls do.  Leaned her head against his shoulder.  But she might as well have been invisible.  His phone was all he could see. 

I was now seated across from Alexa, 15 feet away holding the Happy Meal toys for our grandkids while they finished in the bathroom.  I waved at Alexa.  On the other side of the glass, she waved back.

Then it was my turn to visit the restroom.  When I came back, Alexa was no longer with her dad.  He was as I’d left him—glued to his phone.  She was now in the back of the place, in the play area.  Our eyes locked for just a moment, Alexa’s and mine.  I waved.  Her curled fingers waved back twice. 

Pretty sure she smiled. 

Pretty sure I teared up.

She was the only kid in the McDonald’s Playland.

Apparently, it happens a lot.

 

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

--Psalms 27:10

 

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Jon GaugerJon Gauger

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