Code Yellow

For those who were asking about the Code Yellow story, here’s what happened:

We were checking out at a department store when Wyatt let us know he had to use the bathroom in his typical fashion—singing “POOP! POOP! I NEED TO POOOOOOP!”

I decided to take Boone with me, just in case he needed to go, too. As my wife talked with the cashier, I said, “I’m taking the boys to the restroom,” which she apparently did not entirely hear. Later, she said she understood I was taking one boy, but not both.

But that’s why, when she turned and saw no kid, she thought one has wandered off. To make it worse, I’d left my phone with her, so she couldn’t call to ask if I had them both. (In hindsight, I shouldn’t have done that and now I have a great explanation for why I’m always looking at my phone.)

She asked the cashier if somebody from security could look around. The cashier suggested a Code Yellow, which locks down the store. To my wife’s credit, she didn’t think it was necessary, but the cashier insisted.

So, the store was locked down, no one could enter or exit as security searched for the “missing boy.” As I exited with restroom with Wyatt and Boone, a guy trotted up to me and asked, “Is one of your kids named Boone?” I said yes and he spoke into his walkie-talkie, “He’s with his dad. Call off the lockdown.”

I was like, “Lockdown?” Then, I turned to Wyatt and Boone and said, “Okay, guys, look. When we see Mom, she’s going to be really upset, so don’t make any sudden movements.”

She was actually fine, but I stopped at an auto supply store on the way home and had LoJacks installed on each kid.