13
February 25, 2000
6:49 a.m.
"13," I said. "Rhode Island. Providence," Brigid replied. We were in the garage. It was nearing eight o'clock in the morning. I was in my car getting ready to go to work, Brigid was in the passenger seat of Lisa's car, getting ready to go to school. I smiled and wagged a finger at her. "Don't you get that one wrong." "I won't." I backed out, thinking about her. We had been up late the last night. She had been learning the states, the order of their entry into the union, and their capitals. We used her bedtime story time to cover things. She's fine with that approach most times--being a Dad is more about being there than doing anything particular. Usually we read books for her bedtime, though. She's been reading a lot of things. Harry Potter, of course. Animorphs before that. Dinotopia, Louis Sachar. In between those, she's heavily into both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Personally, I like that Brigid can read and enjoy both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. When I read one of those to her for her bedtime story, I always throw bits in to make it sound like the Hardy Boys are so great and that Nancy Drew is so flighty. We joke about it--then we talk about the truth. "I, as a boy," I say with an appropriately haughty bearing, "have a massive brain." "Yeah, right," Brigid says back. "You, as a boy, have a pea brain." "Humpf...That is where you are so wrong!" I reply with great dignity. Then I turn back to the book and pick up where Nancy has just discovered something important. It goes like that often. I like her banter. I like that she stands up for herself, and that she wins these arguments. Mostly, I like that she knows she's right when she wins them. So the night before we were covering the states. I saw Rhode Island was the 13th state. 13 is my favorite number. "13" I said. Brigid struggled. "Rhode Island?" "Capital?" "Providence." "Good," I said. "You can remember that one because 13 is Daddy's favorite number. And because Daddy's brain is so huge and that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation." She grabbed the bait and ran immediately. "No, Daddy," she said, wagging a finger like a challenged Mom. "I'll remember this one because 13 is your favorite number, and because Rhode Island is the smallest state--just like your brain is the smallest." I grumbled appropriately. But I know my eyes smiled. We went on and finished the first half the list. I jumbled them up, spitting numbers at her and listening while she got them right. She never missed, you know. Watching someone learn like that is a thrilling thing. Then we covered more in the morning during breakfast. And there was the garage thing. I met Lisa (wife/copy editor) and Brigid for dinner that evening in a small mall's food court. I was at the counter when Brigid came up behind me and gave me a hug. "13," I said without actually seeing her. "You don't need to do that anymore," Lisa said. "She got 100%." "You did?" [Looking at Brigid.] "Yep." [matter of fact statement] "Good." There was a moment of silence as Lisa looked at the menu. "You having Subway?" she said. "Yep," I replied, mimicking Brigid, figuring she might have caught it but knowing that one was a bit subtle. I want her to know she's my equal in a lot of ways, you see. I want her to know that I'm learning as much from her as she is from me. I want to take pieces of her and make them me. What are you going to have?" I said. "Pizza!" Brigid replied. "Pizza." Lisa nodded. "And a salad."  So, what's 38? Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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