I pulled him close, kissed the top of his head.
Do you know how much I love you? I asked.
He smiled. As big as the M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i?
Bigger!
As big as the ocean?
Bigger!
As big as the sky?
As big as the biggest thing in the world.
What’s that?
G-e-o-r-g-e B-u-s-h-’s stupidity.
Who’s that?
Never mind. I love you so, so much. Do you believe me?
Yes. Does this mean we can go to M-C’s?
Maybe…
Please?
Do you love me more than french fries?
He pretended to think this over.
You little shit! I exclaimed.
He grinned mischievously.
Memaw wants us to live with her in her new house. What do you think? I asked.
But Memaw lives here.
She can’t live here right now. Not until they rebuild her house. So she’s going to rent a house. And she wants us to live with her.
Really?
Yeah.
I love Memaw!
I know you do.
Will Papa live with us?
Not right now, sweetie. Maybe someday…
Why?