Not Just Another Day at the Office

In my last work experience, I was working long, crazy hours, including some nights and weekends. Seeing my girlfriends was a real novelty (sometimes months would go by before I saw any one particular friend). Being on hiatus allows me to get together far more often and sometimes in the middle of the week.

Yesterday, I went to the mall with one friend and her little girl. Her daughter is four-years-old and incredibly glib. She’s one of those little people that say frighteningly astute things and you’d swear she’s been to this life before. Further, her mom has made a policy of speaking to her like a person since the beginning; there’s never been any goo-goo/ga-ga.

Truth be told, I’m completely attached to this child. I’m privileged in the sense that my friend has made a real effort to make me a part of her daughter’s life. She calls me “Aunt Michele” and puts her little hand in mine and I swear I just want to buy her Disney stock.

As we were walking from store to store, occasionally my little friend would ask me to pick her up and carry her. She’s a total peanut so I didn’t mind. She made this very request as we were strolling through the Gap and as I hoisted her up my tank top tugged down more than a bit. I said to her “Do you think we could pull up Aunt Michele’s shirt so we don’t show her boobies to the whole world?” She took her little finger and gently poked me in the left breast. With that she murmured, “soft.” I said, “Oh, thanks.” Without missing a beat she said, “Mommy’s are flat.” Of course, for a split second I had one of those “where does she get this stuff?” moments. I told her, “well, honey, some are big and some are little.” Thinking that would be the end of it, I started toward the sale rack. Before I even got there she asked, “How big will mine be?” I told her, “I don’t know honey, it’s too soon to tell” and watched as her little face pondered that fact.

Now, there’s a conversation I wouldn’t normally have on any given Thursday in the office!