Tea for two...

Being an only child has its advantages; you don't have to worry about your brother stealing your toys when you play store, there's usually no argument about who gets to wear which outfit, and tea time is whenever-the-hell you SAY it is!  ...Then there's the dog.

When we got Sadie, I had no idea she'd end up like this.  I figured, worse case, she'd be carted around town in her new mommy's doll pram (much like the one I pushed my cat around in as a child).  Thankfully, Sadie seems to exhibit an extremely laid back endorsement for all things Isla.  Last week, I caught her sporting one of my Alternative Apparel burnt out tees with a bubble-gum, pink tutu.  Though a bit put off by the idea of a dog in my clothes, I must admit, she did look rather fetching. <ba-dum-bum>

Sometimes I forget what it's like being four.  Last night, we sat in her room (the three of us), and watched in awe as my little girl cooked up a mean supper in her wooden kitchen.  I believe the menu consisted of tomato pie, a delicious tomato and onion salad, and strawberry toast for dessert.  We sat on the floor in a small circle, each with our individually prepared meals and we ate like there was no tomorrow. As I took another bite of my salad, I couldn't help but notice that Isla's miniature tea plate was empty, yet she kept shoveling tiny forkfuls into her mouth. "What did you get?" I asked.  "Oh... I have chocolate cake."  "Hmmm... I noticed Sadie and I didn't gets any cake?!" I laughed. "Well..." she began, pointing to my wooden toast, "You got that!" <silence>

After dinner, she picked up our plates and started putting things away.  I felt the tears well up in my eyes as my mind raced forward twenty years.  She was in her apartment, alone, making her own dinner... without me.  I wondered if she was happy, if she had a boyfriend, where she was working and if I was still around. "Mommy?  Is that a happy cry?" she asked.  I told her it was, even though it really wasn't, and we hugged for what seemed like hours.  Then the dog jumped up on my lap, squeezed her head in between us and reminded me that she'll always be there to keep an eye on my girl... even if I'm not.