Childhood Innocence

When I was younger, Chuck E. Cheese was known as "Showbiz Pizza". It was the one destination that every kid dreamed of visiting.
I never had the chance to go to "Showbiz" as a child because it was so expensive--my mom could not afford to take my two sisters and I. I remember visiting my aunt Renae one summer, who lived just around the corner from Showbiz (within walking distance). My cousin Will and I decided that it would be fun to go there just once, even if we didn't have enough money for games. My aunt never minded us taking walks around the neighborhood or to the park. We thought that it was safe enough, since we were still close to the house.
Will scraped up the change he had hidden in the back of his sock drawer. We both agreed that Will would be in charge of telling his mom where we were going. With a "Mom, we're-going-out-to-play-and-we'll-be-right-up-the street", Will grabbed my arm, which jerked me forward, and we both bolted out the back door, around the oak tree,and through the iron fence. Great. Only minutes away from Showbiz!
It took all my strength to open the glass door, but once I got inside, I was captivated. My jaw dropped. It took a few seconds for my breathing to slow down. Will and I both glanced at each other with that "Aw, Man!" look in our eyes. We grabbed for each others hand and walked quickly around every inch of that place, while trying to remain inconspicous. We didn't wanna stick out like a sore thumb. After what seemed like an eternity of walking, our sneakers hugged our feet a little harder.
Now, I played games before for a quarter on the Pac-Man video game at Airhart's Corner Market down the street from my grandma's old house in Pinehurst. Sure, we could buy candy and lemon-frosted cookies for a penny, but the store only had room for one game machine. At Showbiz, games lined the walls like wallpaper, lights were flashing, machines were beeping, children were laughing and screaming, the smell of pizza wafted through the air, and the spotlight shown on prizes that kids wanted to win. At Airhartks, the only things you could count on were cheap snacks, and opportunities to get better and better at Pac-Man.
"That was fun! You wanna share a soda before we go?", Will asked as he emptied the change from his pocket.
"Yeah, let's get grape."
We took turns sipping our Welch's grape soda as we walked back home, our steps in sync with each other, avoiding the "cracks" in the sidewalk.
"I can't wait to go back" I said, reaching for the cup.
"Next time, we gone have enough money to play every game in there, Will said with conviction. That way, we can laugh and scream like the other kids in there!"
It wasn't hard for me to buy in..."Yeah, that'll be so fun! As we rounded the corner, I could see the oak tree in my aunt's backyard. "Hey, you want the last sip?," I asked, knowing the cup was empty.
"Yeah, tha-," Will started as I took off running towards my aunt's backyard.
"Hey, come back here!" he shouted after me.
I was long gone.

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After leaving the library today, I asked Alani if she wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese. As if one cue, she cups her cheeks with her hands, starts running in place, and begins to squeal with delight.
"Mommy, you're the best mommy in the world!"
As I sit here with Alani, I think about how accessible the former "Showbiz" (Chuck E. Cheese) is now for families. In terms of locale, I wish there was more than one in Columbia. In terms of affordability, it's pretty reasonable (at least the games are).
The bells, flashing lights, kids laughing and screaming, and smell of good food is all too familiar. Nostalgic, to an extent. What's funny is that every year Alani asks to have her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese or even just to visit, I smile with a cringe in my stomach. I guess I'm holding on to hope that she'll choose a place less...well, less animated. Some place more intimate. Oh, well--wishful thinking, I guess.
From my table, I look out into the crowd and spot Alani sitting next to a childhood favorite: Barney. They're both rockin' along. She then stretches her arm out, puts it around Barney, and lays her head on his hard plastic shoulder. I couldn't hold back my smile. When the ride was over, she turns to Barney and hugs him, jumps off the ride, and runs over to me smiling, with her almost-toothless grin. I smile back at her, grateful for these innocent, childish moments that I get to witness.
Alani thinks I'm the best mommy in the world but I know that I'm the luckiest mommy in the world.