not very bright

I don’t think I inspire confidence. Yesterday, I was coming home from the school drop off and stopped at a little park on the way. My toddler was straining at the straps on the buggy and I had his wellies with me so it made sense to stop for a bit of a run. There are a few benches to sit on and the nearest one to me was occupied by a familiar woman. I think I knew her from school. So I perched on the end of it, got the boots on him and said hello. She smiled and said “I’m just waiting for my dog to go to the toilet.” I smiled back and said nothing. God, people and their dogs. 

My little boy mooched around and started heading towards home so I stood and got the buggy.

“Do you know the name of that road over there? Is it Ashfield Park?” she asked me. I thought for a second, “No, it’s Ashdale Road.”

“I know it’s something like Ashfield Park.” She went on.
“Yes it is.” I said “It’s Ashdale Road.”
She smiled blankly and said “Hmmm, I wonder if it is Ashfield Park? Anyway, it’s ok, I’ll ring my friend, she’ll know.”

And so, I left, walking home past the sign that said Ashdale Road.

“Yo, shorty!” I yelled back (I watch The Wire a lot) “Read this Bee Atch!”

I didn’t of course. But I nearly wish I had.

And then, on the same day, in a different park, with a different son, we met a man, with his dog. My little boy asked if he could pet the dog, the man obliged by showing us how the dog could shake hands and, for politeness sake I asked the dogs breed.

“He’s a Labradoodle.” He said, and then kindly elaborating “That means he’s half Labrador, half poodle.”

Maybe I just don’t have a clever face?