Pink

I was sitting with sixth grader Aidan when he suddenly asked me, “Why are you wearing that  tie?”

What’s wrong with this tie? I asked.

“You know...”

No, I don’t (but I suspected why he disapproved). Tell me, I said.

“The color.”

Pink. I can’t wear pink? What’s wrong with pink? What color should I wear?

“Blue,” said Aidan. “Everybody [meaning every guy] wears blue.”

Maybe I don’t like to do what everybody else does. I think you have to be confident to wear pink—or purple.

“Yeah, well…”

You don’t like pink? Suppose I got you a pink graduation gift, I said. What do you think about that?

He thought for a minute and then brightened, a big smile starting to spread. “O.K., maybe you could buy me some bubblegum,” he said.

I got up from my seat and started to walk around the classroom. Moments later, Aidan approached me.

“Um, and could you make sure it’s Hubba Bubba?”