One Evening, When You Were Seven

It was spring and I worked at home all day to get important things done.
After work I picked Mom up, I picked you up, and we went home.
I grilled some baked potatoes, vegetables and salmon.
We finished dinner and Mom sent me back out on an important errand.

We had agreed you'd have a bath before bed.
So when I came home I asked you to please go upstairs to do that.
I planned to watch an important basketball game after you were bathed and reading in bed.

But you said no, which for you is like a temper tantrum.
You said that Mom said that we should go for a walk every night because yesterday you and she went for a walk and got Dairy Queen on the way home.
And I said no, you need a bath, and that Mom had said that about walking, not me. And I was tired.
But you pouted and looked at me through your brand new glasses and said please.
And I melted, like I always do, so we went for a walk.

The weather was the best weather of any place at any time of year.
It was warm at last, no bugs yet, perfect for jeans or shorts, and long or short sleeves.
We went out on the trails, towards the troll bridge and the spooky old forest.
But once across the bridge we went left instead of right towards the ravine, and away from people.

You started talking about Mom's new car and other important new things.
You said everything is new: "I'm new because I wear glasses and I'm seven. And even you're new."
I asked what you meant but you said you didn't mean anything. Just saying words.
Playing along, I asked you if you wanted a new Daddy.

And right then you stopped in your tracks and grabbed my hand, suddenly very serious, and turned to me and said:"I never want a new Daddy."
Very important to you that I understand that clearly.
Message delivered, you started walking again, still holding my hand firmly.

Instead of turning back when I said we would, we took an extra loop that we never take.
The trees were thicker there, so there was still some mud.
We used some logs as bridges to get over those spots.
At the end of one log I had to jump off first and onto firm ground so I could hold your hand and help you jump 1000 feet in the air all the way over the mud.

Just returning the favour.