By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
“Tom” and I at our favorite restaurant where long lost friends were reunited.
A few months ago, Mr. Kaminski, Kolton and I were eating dinner. You know we weren’t dining at Casa Kaminski as that would require me to actually cook a meal. We were at one of our favorite restaurants when a waiter walked by and exclaimed, “Tom!” He commenced hugging my son who joyfully hugged him in return. Now, Kolton’s name is not “Tom.” His middle name is not “Tom.” There is no “Tom” sound in Kolton.
“These are your parents?” Gustavo asked.
“Yes,” replied Kolton, a.k.a. “Tom,” as he enthusiastically introduced us to Gustavo, who we already knew.
It was at that moment I realized exactly who Gustavo was and the origin of his and “Tom’s” friendship. Mr. Kaminski remained in the dark until I cleared things up.
You see, once my babies began driving, the short order morning kitchen closed in the Kaminski house. For years I had perfected the required breakfast foods: Eggo waffles, Cinnammon Toast Crunch cereal, frozen cinnamon toast sticks, peanut butter toast and bananas. A girl has to work with the skill set she’s given.
But once the Kaminski kiddos were able to get out the door in the am on their own without momma driving or a carpool situation, I did what any intelligent, loving, working mom would do: I provided a green breakfast.
“What’s for breakfast Momma?” they would inquire.
“Twenty dollars,” was a typical Monday morning response. “And today’s breakfast should last you at least three days. Holler at me on Thursday.”
Kolton’s modus operandi in high school was a Chick-fil-A breakfast. He went every day without fail. He’s nothing if not consistent.
Now when you order at Chick-fil-A – inside or drive thru – they ask for a name for your order. For whatever reason, Kolton’s Chick-fil-A name was “Tom.” I knew this because I had been with him a few times during his high school years.
“Tom is easier,” he told me. “You have to repeat yourself too many times if you use your real name. It’s always best to choose an alias.”
I bought that. Frankly it sounded like something out of my playbook. Apple? Tree? So, Kolton, a.k.a. “Tom,” and Gustavo became big buds through the years as Gustavo always seemed to be working when “Tom” showed up. In fact, the morning that Kolton and I left home to move him into his dorm at The University, Kolt wanted his morning go-to, and we went through the Chick-fil-A drive thru. Sure enough, Gustavo was at the window, and he and Kolton had a heartfelt farewell. Gustavo knew “Tom” was headed off to college. I even took a picture of the two of them. It was a tearful goodbye.
Of course, I was the one who had to explain the scenario that night at Brandani’s. I had to break it to Gustavo that “Tom” was really Kolton. It didn’t seem to matter to anyone, except to Mr. Kaminski, who was rather confused by the entire situation. Gustavo and “Tom” had a big laugh and were still overjoyed to see one another.
I’ve been giving this alias thing some thought. I understand Kolt’s logic – the simpler, the better. But I’m thinking if I’m going to create a new name for me, I’m going all out. Maybe Jezabel or Persephone – something that really makes folks wonder. I’ll keep y’all posted. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
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