Ice Cream!

Chris and I were out walking Sasha this evening when I heard it: the jolly, slightly bleary tune threading down the block. An ice cream truck. I looked at Chris, laughed, and shrugged it off. We were several blocks from home, without kids and cash, and the truck was passing us and heading up the hill. Oh, well. Another time.

We turned the corner, and the tune persisted, the same two lines of “The Entertainer” playing over and over. “Maybe I should tell the kids to grab a 20 and run over here…nah…?” We decided the truck would be long gone by the time the kids made it to us. Eddie Murphy’s ice cream bit in Delirious floated into my mind, and I started acting out his lines like, “Get your mother a toasted almond bar…” Anyone?

I texted the kids and told them an ice cream truck was in the neighborhood. Edwin wanted its location. I gave him my best estimation, which was really not good news, but that maybe there was a chance it would cross 23rd and head toward our house. My hopes started to die as the tune faded.

As we neared 23rd, the tune became audible again, and a flash of purple, green, blue, and orange flashed across the street. “Edwin, grab a 20 and your sister, and run up 22nd. Follow the music. I’ll meet you on your way.”

Once we crossed 23rd, Chris headed up the hill to head him off, while I ran toward the kids. On the way, I spotted the truck. Once I met up with them, Maxine and I broke into a full sprint. Edwin was caught in a battle between embarrassment and desire, but sense won out, and he picked up his pace.

We couldn’t believe our luck when we spotted the elusive truck parked in front of the playground. As we waited our turn, our heartbeats slowed, and we settled on our choices. This was the first time the kids had seen an ice cream truck driving through the neighborhood; they’d only seen them at street fairs before. I’m glad we filled that void!