My favorite ritual is nail night. Charlie pulls up a chair and plays salon. The first time that he asked “Can I tell you about my day?” I thought oh can you ever!
Sometimes it’s his actual day, but more often it’s a pretend day, all the yummier.
Charlie: “I went on a journey with my family for work. We took a train, to Texas, yes Texas I think. We had to inspect some some concrete, yah concrete. Then we built a house close to Japan. Then we came back home for a little snack and then I came here”
Mama: “Wow, sir, I bet you are ready for some pampering! Let’s pick colors”
Charlie: “I’d like the blue grey for my fingers and the bright pink for my toes because it reminds me of my kids.”
And so it goes, as he wiggles and I dab, I learn about this guy in the concrete business who has two kids, is divorced from their mom, but takes them all on his train trips….
…Until the five year old returns and asks me in a quiet voice to remember to take the polish off on Sunday night so the people at school don’t tease him again and say that nail polish is only for girls…I hate that part.