When Tessa was upset the other day, Mom picked her up, snuggled her and asked, “Is it bad, Tessa? Because it seems bad.”
“Yeah,” Tessa said. “It’s bad.”
“What’s up?” Mom asked. When Tessa said nothing, Mom continued, “You having some issues?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Tessa has issues.”
“What kind of issues?” Mom asked.
“Tessa has issues downstairs,” she said.
“Oh, no,” Mom said. “What’s downstairs?”
“Tessa has bad issues downstairs,” Tessa said, nodding.
Riley, who had been sitting near Mom and Tessa chimed in.
“Mom,” Riley said. “I’d like to talk about my issues.”
“What issues are those, Riley?”
“I need to talk about my pacifier and my bunny.”
“Indeed,” Mom said. “What’s going on with your pacifier and your bunny.”
“Paci and bunny have issues,” Riley said soberly. “Riley’s bunny has issues.”
“What kind of issues does bunny have?”
“Bunny has issues when Riley and Tessa don’t sleep at nap. Daddy gets mad and takes away our books. He tells us to go to sleep.”
“That’s true,” Mom said. “It is important that Riley and Tessa are quiet and sleep at nap and at nighttime. You can stay in your bed and read books if you are awake. But you cannot jump and run and play. It is quiet time.”
“Yeah, and Riley needs to give up his paci and bunny,” Riley said.
“No, Riley,” Mom said. “You are only going to have to give up your pacifier. You can keep bunny.”
“Yeah, I need to give paci to the babies,” Riley said.
“That’s right. You are a big boy, and Tessa is a big girl. Babies need pacifiers, not big kids. It’s time to give your pacifiers to the babies that need them.”
Riley nodded. Tessa shook her head.
“When do you think you might be ready to give your pacifiers to the babies?” Mom asked Riley.
“Ummm,” Riley thought about this. “We can have a paci party at school and then Riley can give the paci to the babies.”
“That’s a good idea, Riley,” Mom said. “What you do want to have at your paci party?”
“Cupcakes!” Riley said.
“And balloons,” Tessa said.
“Cupcakes and balloons sounds like a great party. When do you want to have the paci party?”
“We give paci and Tessa’s lamby to the babies,” Tessa said.
“No, just your paci,” Mom said. “Riley gets to keep his bunny and you get to keep your lamby.”
Riley and Tessa nodded.
“But remember: When you have a paci party you will be giving your paci away forever,” Mom said. “You won’t be able to get it back. The babies will have your paci.”
Riley and Tessa’s eyes grew round. Tessa gripped tightly the object in question.
“The babies will have my paci?” Riley asked.
“Yes.”
“But I can have it for nap and night-night?”
“No,” Mom said. “You won’t get it at all. The paci will be the babies paci.”
Riley said nothing.
“Do you want to have a paci party?” Mom asked.
Riley looked at Mom, shoved his paci into his mouth and said, “Not yet.”

Posted in Emmett Alexander, Riley James, Tessa Kate

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