How to Get Out of Trouble

I spoke with Melynda at another school yesterday.  We're really falling into a great groove.  The kids don't seem to be getting bored at all.  We flow from one topic to the next and have the part with the violin planned well.  
    The kids loved it and one even stayed to talk with me afterward.     
    "You're pretty," he said.
    "How sweet.  Thank you."
    "You have nice clothes."
    "Ummm.  Thank you."
    "You have black pants."
    "Yes.  I do."
    "You have big eyes."
    "Well . . . maybe I do, compared to some."  What was this, Little Red Riding Hood?  
    I had no idea where the conversation was going until the kid stared at my socks.  "So, with how nice you look, why do you have two different socks on?"
    I looked down and yes indeed, I had on a green one and a plain white one.  I must have been in such a hurry, I just grabbed what was closest.  But that observant kid wouldn't understand something so mundane.  I had to think quick.  I had to get out of trouble!
    "The socks?" he asked again.  "Did you mean to do that?"
    I'm an adult.  I'm supposed to be this motivational speaker . . . author-person.  I couldn't tell the kid about what a goof I can be.  I suddenly thought of something and motioned for him to come closer.  "Some authors are eccentric," I said.  "That means they do funny things that no one else understands.  Can you keep a secret?"  He nodded.  "I'm just trying to fit in."  Light filled his eyes.  "Plus, that green sock is lucky and the other one like it has a huge hole.  It's hard to admit, but I threw it away last week.  The right one was the luckiest anyway, good thing that wasn't the one to go."
    He grinned.  "That's a great trick even if socks don't have a right or left."
    I raised a brow.  That kid was smart!  He reminded me of Vander in my book "The Sword of Senack."  
    "I had fun listening to you today.  Maybe I'll be a writer someday, too. . . . A writer with a lucky sock."
    "That would be awesome!" I chuckled.  "I bet you'd be amazing.  Good writers know how to pay attention to detail.  And you, well, you're the only person who seemed to notice my socks.  Even the adults didn't say anything!  Nicely done, young man.  Nicely done."
    He went to walk away and I felt so guilty I had to stop him.  Why do I always do this; you know, tell a fib and then have to come clean!  "Actually, I'm not trying to fit in with the sock thing.  I was just in such a hurry to get here, I grabbed the wrong sock."
    He laughed.  "I thought so.  It's a lot harder to fool kids than adults think."
    "But you won't tell the other kids?" I asked.  "Maybe they didn't notice.  I'm supposed to be some fancy author.  They don't want to hear about my sock problems."
   "I already told you, I know how to keep a secret."  He looked at my socks and whispered.  "They do look cool like that though.  If you keep doing that, you might start something.  If authors are as different as you say, you really will fit right in."
    "Maybe," I said.
    He nodded.  "I'm gonna try to come to your book signing on Friday. But only because you told the truth."
   "Yeah?"
    "Yep," he said.  "Most adults wouldn't have, but you did.  You're all right Ms. Hirsch."
    "Thanks," I said and I bet that kid had no idea how much he'd made my day.  Plus, I just learned how to get out of trouble.  All you have to do is tell the truth.

For more info about my signing schedule, please go HERE.