NICK: Dad?
ME: Yes.
NICK: Let me hold Jessie’s leash.
ME: Don’t, buddy. Because she’s really pulling a lot and I don’t want her to pull you over onto the sidewalk.
NICK: But I want to help you walk her.
ME: I know, but…Nick…seriously. Let go of the leash.
NICK: I’m helping you walk Jessie.
ME: I know. But she’s running all over the place and…Nick…really…let go of the leash.
NICK: I’m helping.
ME: It’s not helping. It’s making it worse. Let go.
NICK: Let me help.
ME: No. Nick –
NICK: I want to.
ME: Nick, I said no.
NICK: But I want to.
ME: No Nick.
NICK: I want to, daddy.
ME: NO, NICK! Stop it! Why are you doing that? Cooperate with me, okay?? Do what I tell you to do!
NICK: Dad –
ME: Don’t “dad” me! I told you to let go and you refused! You have to do what I tell you to do! She could have pulled you over and it’s too dangerous! Stop ignoring me when I tell you to do something! You have to learn how to cooperate better! I’m so tired of this!
(Pause)
NICK: Okay.
ME: Come on. It’s cold. Let’s go home.
(Pause)
NICK: If you don’t like me anymore, dad, that’s okay.
ME: Nick…of course I… I love you, okay? I just… that was really frustrating.
NICK: Okay.
ME: I’m sorry I yelled.
NICK: Okay. Sorry, dad.
ME: Okay. Want to hold my hand?
NICK: Yeah.
ME: Let’s go home, okay?
NICK: Okay.
(long pause)
NICK: Dad?
ME: Yes.
NICK: You know in “Cars 2” when Luigi’s face gets all big and crazy?
ME: Why does his face get all crazy?
NICK: Because Tomater is leaving and so Luigi cries.
ME: Why does he cry?
NICK: Because he’s thinking about how he doesn’t want him to leave and he loves him and doesn’t ever want him to go.
David Lee White 