Tell Me Your Thoughts, Puck

Driving through cold rain to school that morning, Puck craned his head around to see me in the rearview mirror.

“Mom, is Obama going to run for President again?”

“He can’t. He’s already been President for eight years, so he can’t run any longer than that.”

“Oh. So is that doctor who helped split apart those people who had their heads attached going to be President?”

“Hmmm… don’t think so…”

Puck squeezed himself in the back seat next to Yali for the drive home after school. He pulled out a pencil and his 5s multiplication sheet to complete, patiently teaching Yali all the answers as he went.

“Five times two is…? TEN!”

And Yali – in his own way – repeated the answer.

As Puck wrapped up multiplication, he had a question to put to me.

“Mom? Have you been saving for Yali’s college fund?”

About fifteen minutes later, he had another thought.

“Does Dad really want to be a grandpa?”

“Your dad has always wanted to be a grandpa.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

“Well, do you plan on getting married and having kids?”

“Yes… But Yali might not. He doesn’t have a friend like that yet.”

And about five minutes later…

“Mom. I want to be a super genius.”

“Okay.”

“So give me a big dinner tonight and a big breakfast tomorrow. And a big lunch. Give me BIG food! Give me BRAIN food!”

“I can do that.”

“I’m goin’ on a diet, Mom.”

That diet lasted about ten minutes when his neighbor buddy handed him a Twizzlers.

“Oh! I forgot!” Puck slapped a hand to his forehead. “Okay, my diet starts NOW!”

Our evening concluded with Oxbear demonstrating the new trick he had taught Yali.

“Watch!” he said enthusiastically, pinching Yali’s nose.

For some weird reason, this gave Yali the ability to say the word, “Sí.” He just grinned at his achievement and gave us the thumbs up.