The Care Package

So. The lad called me early this evening with a full accounting of himself. Many apologies for not returning phone calls and explanations that he has been working pretty awful hard and has been very busy pledging for his fraternity.

“Yeah, but,” I said, “Couldn’t you spare five minutes to let your parents know you’re still alive?”

“Yes, I know I messed up. I’m sorry. I’ll do better.”

Fair enough.

He has been working hard. And he is maintaining a 4.0 average so far. This does not surprise me. He pointed out, however, that he’s not sure he can do this all through the semester. He’ll give it his best. He’s halfway through already and really does want to keep the trend going so as to, as he said, “Stifle a couple of people.”

As I suspected, he plans on staying at school for the long weekend. Most everyone goes home and his two roommates will be gone, too. He has a couple of papers to finish and an essay to write. He’d like the room to himself while he works, rather than removing himself to the library. He said he’s peopled out and he would really like four days of solitude. I can relate. Not a problem

I asked him what he was planning to feed himself over the four day weekend and he said, “Oh yeah. I hadn’t thought of that.”

The campus and cafeterias shut down completely and the frat house (where he takes his meals) will also be closed.

“How about a care package?” I asked.

Oooh. Much excitement as he reeled off a list of things he would love to have. Well, not a very long list, but enough mac ‘n cheese to get him through and some Sleepy Time tea to help him unwind. And Nyquil. He has a bad cold. And maybe some Tostitos. And vitamins.

So, after our conversation, I broke my first rule of shopping (and just about every one of the 90 Percent Project rules) and went to Wal-Mart. And went just a tad wild.

The care package will contain: Doritos, Tostitos, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop Tarts, Chips Ahoy cookies, Sleepy Time tea, Campbell’s Chunky Roadhouse Chili, Campbell’s Chunky Split Pea and Ham soup, Campbell’s Chunky Bean and Ham soup, Campbell’s Chunky New England Clam Chowder, Skippy Super Chunky peanut butter, strawberry jam, a dozen donuts, loaf of bread, container of powdered Gatorade, Stove Top stuffing, a bag of beef jerky, a huge bottle of Nyquil, multi-vitamins, and a 12 pack of mac ‘n cheese.

I dunno. Did I overdo it? It’s definitely my best care package yet.

So, I guess all’s right in everybody’s world tonight and the Dad (who arrived on campus today for a little attitude readjustment) went out and fed the lad after dressing him down this afternoon. They ended up having a really good time. The Dad has, apparently, relented a little bit with regard to the ‘4.0 average or else’. But he’s very pleased with progress so far and strongly urged the lad to keep up the good work. Keeping fingers crossed that this softening continues.