ALLISON: Oh. Nick. I don’t know if that suit will fit.
NICK: I want to wear it.
ME: Buddy, don’t you think you’ll feel more comfortable in something else?
ALLISON: That suit is a little small.
NICK: I want to wear it.
ALLISON: I guess he will be wearing a graduation gown.
ME: It’s his pre-school graduation. I guess if he wants to wear the suit, let him wear the suit.
NICK: I do. I want to wear it.
ALLISON: You do look really good in it.
ME: As long as you don’t raise your arms and don’t move at all.
ALLISON: It’s really small, isn’t it.
ME: It’s pretty small, yeah.
NICK: I WANT TO WEAR IT!
ALLISON: Okay, okay. You can wear it. Do you think you’ll be hot?
NICK: No, mom.
ALLISON: Okay. Let’s just go, I guess.
******************
ONE HOUR LATER
ME: You see him?
ALLISON: He’s in back. I guess they’re gonna sing some songs, first.
ME: Oh, man listen to that. What song are they singing?
ALLISON: I can’t even tell. Something about raindrops or monkeys jumping on beds or something.
ME: Uh-oh.
ALLISON: What.
ME: He doesn’t look happy.
ALLISON: What’s he doing?
ME: Oh, God. He’s trying to get my attention.
ALLISON: Oh no. (whispering) It’s okay! Sing the song!
ME: He can’t…what are you doing? He can’t hear you.
ALLISON: He looks like he’s singing. But he’s not doing any of the hand motions.
ME: Something’s wrong. He’s not okay.
ALLISON: What should we do?
ME: I don’t know. (whispering) It’s okay, Nick! Just sing! Sing!
ALLISON: He can’t hear you!
ME: I know!
ALLISON: Is he okay?
ME: I don’t know!
ALLISON: Okay. Okay. He looks okay now that the song’s over.
ME: Good. That’s good. Phew.
***********
ONE HOUR LATER
ME: Hey, buddy!
NICK: Dad!
ALLISON: Congratulations!
NICK: Thank you!
ME: So bud…what was wrong during the song? You looked like you were upset about something.
NICK: IT’S THIS SUIT, DAD! IT’S TOO TIGHT! I COULDN’T RAISE MY ARMS!!!
David Lee White 