in the car today

Ji: [As we pass by a car in our new Innova on the way home from school] Hey, Mom, that lady driving that car looks just like Gramma. [Pause] Except she's got black hair and a skinnier face. [Pause] And she's Indian. She has brown skin. [Pause] And she's got a straight look on her face. [Gestures towards his lips, indicating a straight-line-serious set of the mouth] You never see that look on Gramma's face! I've only seen it about five times! She's always so jolly!

Me: You don't say.

...and this evening

Me: [As we're waiting for dinner to be served at a restaurant] Ji, what would you do if your wife and I don't get along?

Ji: [Incredulously] Don't get along?

Me: Yeah, what if one day you get married and then your wife and I fight alot. Whose side would you take?

Ji: [In a tone that suggests I must be an idiot for even coming up with such as silly idea] Yours! I mean, you're my mother! How can I go against my mother??

Me: Well, what if your wife said that if you took my side that then she wouldn't snuggle and love you and take care of you?

Ji: I'd get another wife. [Laughing] I can't get another mother you know.

Me: That's my boy!

[Ji Hong-Spring-2008]