Scary Thought
Papa, you don't know me that well, Cici teased at dinner earlier this week. We both laughed because we knew it was the shortened version of the old Flip Wilson routine where he dressed like a woman. A regular laugh line was something like "Don't touch me! Don't ever touch me! You don't know me that well."
Then a thought hit me. Sweetie, I said, do you realize that I know you better than anyone else in the world knows you? I know you even better than Mama knows you. Think about it, I said, and watched as the realization that what I said was true spread across her face.
We both sat there thinking about the implications of what we were discussing. Then with a sly smile she said, so you know I really love sports, right? We laughed, because we know she has no interest in sports. Nice try, I said, but you know that we have spent far more time together since you arrived than you have spent with Mama. You and I have talked more than you have talked with anyone. You and I have planned your education and your future.
Let's face it. There is not one person anywhere in the world who knows you as well as I know you. Scary thought, huh? Ping listened to the discussion and smiled. Papa is right, she said.
Then a thought hit me. Sweetie, I said, do you realize that I know you better than anyone else in the world knows you? I know you even better than Mama knows you. Think about it, I said, and watched as the realization that what I said was true spread across her face.
We both sat there thinking about the implications of what we were discussing. Then with a sly smile she said, so you know I really love sports, right? We laughed, because we know she has no interest in sports. Nice try, I said, but you know that we have spent far more time together since you arrived than you have spent with Mama. You and I have talked more than you have talked with anyone. You and I have planned your education and your future.
Let's face it. There is not one person anywhere in the world who knows you as well as I know you. Scary thought, huh? Ping listened to the discussion and smiled. Papa is right, she said.
Comments