James...the Prodigal Son

Today was a "normal" Saturday, meaning all of the kids would be home by 1:30 or so. We had pizza from Massimo's, since we're leaving to go skiing tomorrow (! Can't wait!). As is usual on that sort of day, we meandered down in series, leaving our purchases on the tab ... to be paid by the last person in the pizzeria.

I have addicted the children to Merlin (BBC series), and suggested that we watch as a treat during lunch. James was a bit late, but we didn't think much of it -- it happens sometimes. And we started the episode.

At 2:15, I realized that James wasn't home, so I tried his cell phone. No response. About 15 minutes later, I looked up the school's number. No response there, which was to be expected given the time. I also called the scout leader to make sure James hadn't mistakenly attempted to go on their overnight outing that started this afternoon.

A little while later, we decided perhaps it was time to take a look for him. So off we trotted...Jeremy on his bike, Eleanor in the piazza and surroundings, Ashley down via Consolazione, Michael up to the park, and so on. I saw the policemen hanging out in the piazza, so I went to talk to them. The elder of the two asked immediately, "Oh, your son who rides his bike all the time?" "Um, no, the smaller one."

After explaining sheepishly that I hadn't the foggiest what the kid was wearing (and after having called James's friend's dad to ascertain that James hadn't talked to his friend about after-school plans...and then having asked what my own child was wearing...involving a call by the dad to James's deskmate's family...), I noticed the police chief striding up purposefully. She asked a few more questions, and then the three of them moved off to do whatever it is that the police actually do in town (other than walking around in really cute uniforms), telling me to keep in touch with them as well.

In the meantime, Orietta had called to see what she could do, Massimo and the gang had promised to keep an eye out & tell him to call me if they saw him, and so on.

By the time I was done with this, Michael had come back from the park, so we went towards the car -- assuming that we could cover more ground that way than on foot. Around the time we unlocked the car, Eleanor came walking towards us, Jeremy called on the phone, and ... well ... Jeremy the hero had found the missing one (aka, the miscreant, at this point) -- in the bar next to the school, playing video games.

Phew.

So, that meant that it was time to walk BACK around town, letting everyone know that James had been found (we ran across the policemen outside of Pianegiani), calling the families we'd had on the phone, etc.

Four hours later, Eleanor was at the Oratorio (church hall) and was questioned by people WE hadn't talked to, asking whether James had made his way home. Ashley was getting Facebook messages. I was getting texts and calls.

And, yes, we will be placing a "wanted" poster -- complete with photo -- at the bar. The next time he goes in there, they are to call me and send him straight home.

Love,

Alexandra