secret agent man

So there is this group of little kids that live in my neighborhood. Most of them are boys. I usually see them in a massive pack hanging out together outside each others' houses. They probably range in age from 8-10, so they are at the age where they are too cool to talk to adults, but still want to impress them.

One of their dad's has built them a ramp for jumping their bikes and skateboards. Whenever I run by them, they time it so one of them is doing some trick on the ramp just as I run by...so I can cheer for them and say the appropriate impressive comments like, "Wow!" or "AMAZING!" They jump off the ramp and strut around like they just landed a perfect 10 at the Olympics.

So, the other day I was running on a particularly warm springish afternoon. Two of the boys were playing. As I got closer to them, I saw that they had giant water guns...fully loaded. They had their heads together, obviously planning something mischievous. Next, I saw one of them sprint ahead, cross someone's yard, and hide behind a tree. The other followed, in pursuit. Up ahead, I saw their target.....one of their little sisters...on a frilly purple bike...with a basket....poor girl. She was about a half a block ahead of the little punks. As I watched the pursuit unfold, I heard one of the boys singing a little ditty as he darted from tree to tree. He was singing "Secret Agent Man." I had to try REALLY hard not to burst into a fit of uncontrolled laughter, but I showed iron-clad self control and did not blow their obviously well planned, impenetrable "cover."

As I passed them and inevitably crossed paths with their intended target, I contemplated warning her. Being a little sister myself, and having been the target of many secret agent attacks, I felt I bit of kinship with the poor girl. Alas, I minded my own business, and let the events unfold behind me as planned....I felt a little guilty, but those boys are my neighborhood posse....I didn't want to become the object of their next "secret" water gun-laden mission....at least not till it gets warmer outside.