Scene: Harriet�s room, about an hour after AJ�s bedtime. Harriet is lying on her bed watching a stupid movie because she is brain dead from a day of editing footnotes. There is a knock at the door. Harriet: AJ, what are you doing out of bed? AJ: I�m sorry, Mommy, but I just needed to ask you a question. Harriet: It�s not question time. It�s sleeping time. Please go back to bed. AJ: But it�s really really important. Harriet: Okay. What is it? AJ: Um, how do people get a baby? Harriet (while walking AJ back to bed and stalling shamelessly): You�re right. That is an important question. I think we should talk about this tomorrow. AJ: Mommy, can�t you just tell me? Harriet: You mean how the baby gets in a Mommy�s tummy? AJ: (nods vigorously) Uh huh. Harriet: What made you think of that? AJ: I don�t know. I just thought of it. Harriet: Well, it takes a Mommy and a Daddy to make a baby. (AJ looks very attentive). And, uh, well, when a Mommy and Daddy really want to have a baby�um�sometimes they get a baby. [Lame, lame, LAME!] AJ: Well, could we get a baby sometime? Harriet: You want a baby brother or sister, huh? AJ: Yes. Harriet: Well, maybe. But if we don�t, I think our family�s pretty good with just three, don�t you? AJ: Well, maybe. But I think it would be better if there were four. * * * * *
To quote a hypothetical question my husband�s aunt asked him at the family Christmas Eve party while gesturing at AJ, �How could you not want to make more of those?� [Second entry today, click back for an ode to the dissertation secretary]
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