Scene: Coriel and Addra’s room. The floor is scattered with toys. As usual. A spray bottle of water, several hairbands, and a comb sit on the floor beside me. I am sitting behind Coriel, frequently reminding her to hold her head still long enough for me to give her a fancy hairdo. She is having an increasingly frustrated conversation. It went something like this.
CORIEL:
You need to hold still.
HER
FINGERS: Why?
CORIEL:
So Mommy doesn’t pull our hair.
HER
FINGERS: Why?
CORIEL:
Because she’s giving us a fancy hairdo.
HER
FINGERS: Why?
CORIEL:
[irritation obvious in her tone of voice] So that we can look fancy.
HER
FINGERS: [oblivious to Coriel’s annoyance] Why?
CORIEL:
[more impatient] Because we’re getting ready for church.
HER
FINGERS: Why?
CORIEL:
So we can go to church!
HER
FINGERS: Why?
CORIEL:
[after a brief pause, and in a completely calm tone of voice] I don’t know.
ME:
[finally unable to contain my laughter] Coriel, you are so adorable.
CORIEL:
No, I’m not adorable! My fingers are adorable!
