Simone knew there was going to be a problem when she tried to park the car outside the toy library today. Not a parking, free or metered, was to be had anywhere. Even the parking meters on the street were in use. She parked around the block, after circling the church parking lot across from the library in vain. Baby B did not mind walking and neither did Simone: the sun shone brightly, bringing a semblance of warmth to the layers of snow.
Simone and Baby B reached the toy library entrance just as Mme M put up the signs, "STOP" and "CLOSED". This is what the toy library does when they are full. The next step, which occurred right after Simone and Baby B walked through, involves locking the doors so nobody can come in.
The large hall for shoes, boots and coats was full. Not a single coat hook in sight. Simone took Baby B's jacket and carried it along with hers into the play room. Baby B raced for the kitchen area. So far so good, thought Simone, keeping a close eye on her son. Then he raced for the train set. He tried the slide. He played with foam blocks. He played with a plastic car track. He gave Simone a toy tortoise.
Simone, knowing her son's discomfort in crowded situations kept watching Baby B as he approached a low climbing frame. He tried to push an older boy down the frame. The boy laughed but minutes later, Baby B was at it again. This time, he tried to push a girl about his age. The girl protested and Simone carried Baby B away before he could really push with any force.
Next, Baby B tried to push a boy down the slide. Simone pulled Baby B off the slide area. Baby B made a fullback run at another boy. Having seen this very move the previous week, Simone intercepted the tackle (in spite of carrying two jackets) and righted the boy Baby B had mistaken for a football before he could fall down.
"Time to go," announced Simone.
Baby B raced for the door, smiling happily.
It would be so much easier if he'd simply said he'd had enough, wouldn't you think?
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