I was picking Claire up from an impromptu playdate when her tears started. I’d needed an extra set of child-watching hands, and my friend had provided them. I’d done the same for her little boy on occasion, so it all worked out.
“I don’t want to leave!” Claire cried. “I want to stay forEVER.”
The tears were enough to break your heart, but I’d learned a long time ago not to take these things personally. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by people she enjoys.
“Oh, sweetie. If we don’t leave, we can’t come back!” I resorted to my old stand-by. It won’t be long before this doesn’t work anymore.
But, it seemed to do the trick. The tears were stopping.
“I know!” she said, wiping her face with her hand. “I can live HERE! Then, I won’t HAVE to go home, because I’ll already be here!”
“Oh, sweetie. We would miss you so much, and the kitties would be so sad. Poor Merlin and Jasper,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Plus, what would Grandma and Papa say if they came to visit, and you weren’t there?”
“Duh, Momma,” she said matter-of-factly. “We can make them a map!”
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