We were discussing my oldest son and I was saying how he scheduled his driving test at the Springfield DMV because the driving test route was easier and less busy than the Eugene test area.
L: Well, Cottage Grove is the easiest place to take your driving test. In Oregon. They are very forgiving, and I know.
H: Why? How many times did you take your driving test?
L: (In a very small voice) five
H: (Speechless for a moment) Five?
L: I only failed once in Cottage Grove. Well, twice because of that pedestrian.
H: (Incredulous) You hit a *pedestrian*?
L: (Indignant) No, I didn't hit *him*.
H: (Puzzled) What? He ran into the side of the car?
L: No. Not the side.
H: He ran into the *front* of the car?
L: Noo, he put his hand on the hood. That was all really. To stop the car.
H: (Incredulous again)The car was *moving*? What, did he suddenly appear in the middle of the road?
L: (Looking slighted) Noooo. He suddenly appeared in the crosswalk. (Slightly sheepish) He surprised me.
H: (Incredulous. Still) A pedestrian in the *crosswalk*, the one "safe" place to cross the street, the place where you can *expect* pedestrians and he *surprised* you?
L: (I don't understand how you are not getting this) He blended. I didn't see him.
H: (Incredulous. Level 3) What do you mean he **"blended"**? Was he wearing a grey suit with broad yellow stripes across it? Some sort of pedestrian camouflage?
L: (Annoyed) He popped up while I was carefully approaching the crosswalk. He stuck out his hand and leaned back a little. He looked at me, I looked at him, and then we had a meeting of the minds and he went on his way. So I didn't *hit* him. He just, sort of, tipped. Then the test instructor told me that my test was over.
H: Not too surprising.
L: (Slightly dismissive, short wave of left hand) He had a very sour disposition and I think it colored his reaction.