Seven Red

Conversation with Ellie, while giving her a bath

Ellie (reaching into topspun’s sweatshirt pocket): Daddy, what’s that box in your pocket?
topspun: It’s nothing. It’s daddy stuff. [It's a pack of cigarettes]
Ellie: So, it’s not nothing.
topspun: No. It’s something.
Ellie: So what is it.
topspun: It’s a bad thing just for grown-ups.
Ellie: You use it when you go outside, right? You put it in your mouth and blow through them?
topspun: Yes, that’s right. But it’s bad.
Ellie: When I grow up, I want to have those in my pocket, too.
topspun: No you won’t. I’m going to stop, and you’re not going to start. They’re bad.
Ellie: Then why do you do it.
topspun: I don’t know.
Ellie: You didn’t have those when you were a little kid, did you?
topspun: No. But my Daddy, your Nonno, had them.
Ellie: Hmmm.
topspun: But I’m going to stop, and then I won’t have them any more.
Ellie: Well, if you stop, then I’ll never even touch them! Even when I’m a grown-up!
topspun: Hmmm. [realizing he's just been played by a three-year old...]

She’s getting craftier…

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