As a first year empty nester, I was under the assumption that I would have a prank-free April Fools Day. Over the years, my kids have become expert April Fool prankers with me as their primary target. How tired I was in the morning would determine the effectiveness of the prank. If I was lucky enough to get the chance to juice up on a few cups of coffee, I simply could not be pranked. The key was to catch me before that moment.

Since most of us lead with our hearts when it comes to our kids, we can be sitting ducks. For example, opening the door for a six am wake-up and there is no kid in the bed. Or, looking out at the bus stop and none of your kids are standing there like they should be but instead, are hiding behind a f**king tree.

“APRIL FOOLS!”

The list goes on and on.

This year, I was totally caught off guard. Thankfully, that outta-sight-outta-mind thing works when your kids go to college…until of course, you get one of those phone calls.

I got one yesterday morning at 7:40am. Remember, that was a Sunday. My cell phone rang and the caller ID identified it as one of my boys. WTF? My heart was racing.

“Mom, sorry to call you this early but I have some bad news.” his voice sounded quivery.

What goes through your mind? Hospital, jail, suspension.

“Are you okay?”I asked. My blood was already in my feet.

“Someone broke into my dorm room and stole my computer and TV.  My entire power point presentation for Mass Communication Theory was on it and it’s due tomorrow. I think they took some money, too.” he said.

Whew, that was somewhat of a relief but since I rarely get phone calls from my boys, especially at that hour, he got me.

“You need to report this theft ASAP and notify your professor. You can’t be penalized for theft. Did they take your wallet? Does your door still lock or did they bust it open? Do you think it was student?” I said as I got deeper and deeper into the drama.

“APRIL FOOLS, MOM” he screamed.

In my empty-nester bliss, I forgot is was April Fools Day.

“I love you and I know I’m not supposed to say this but YOU’RE AN ASSHOLE”. I replied.

“I couldn’t resist, Mom. I just wanted to see if I still had it.” he said.

After we shared a good laugh, at my expense of course, I put an alarm on my phone to remind me about next year.