It’s a pity
Try a little tenderness
How do you like spending your winter holidays? Skiing? Or, on the contrary, going somewhere hot to swim in a lagoon drinking Mojitos or Caipirinhas? Sounds fantastic. Well, last year our family visited Malta, this year however we decided to stay at home…decorating the interior, renovating some furniture, repairing things. Yes, I know, very exciting, especially for our kids.
No, it wasn’t so bad. My husband John, who’s often away traveling abroad, took a holiday leave to spend some time with the little ones too. So he drove them around town to the swimming pool, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, playgrounds etc.
Near the end of the time off, on Thursday, our son Timmy asks him bashfully,
“Dad, when are you leaving for work again?”
“On Saturday.”
“It’s a pity…” responds Timmy quietly.
Let’s pause for a second. Timmy’s already 8, so he’s a real grown-up. Tender words, love declarations, hugs, caresses, kisses still do happen in abundance…towards his mummy only, when nobody can see or hear except for the closest family. But towards his dad? How can a tough guy be tender towards another guy? No way! Even when there’s nobody nearby. So poor dad can only count on some little gestures, accidental snuggling while wrestling on a carpet, half sentences or shy smiles at moments of the toughie’s fleeting weakness or absent-mindedness.
Therefore, daddy, upon hearing the quiet confession, so very flattered, proud, thrilled and pleased with himself, yearning for a little more to elicit from his son, asks softly,
“It’s a pity that I’m going away so soon, sweetie?” thinking at the same time, “Oh you little kitty, my cutie pink piglet, you sweet duckling! Coochie, coochie, coochie-coo!”
Timothy collects himself quickly, straightens his back, pulls a long face, and replies in a strong confident voice,
“It’s a pity, dad, YOU’RE NOT GOING AWAY TODAY OF COURSE!!!”
©2020 Marta Mozolewska. All rights reserved.
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