IN THE AFTERMATH OF —

YOU ADDED CHOCOLATE TO THE COOKED CARROTS

AND, PLAYING REGULAR DAD IN THIS SANE HOUSE, OFFERED THEM

WEARING MOUSE EARS AND MY SLEEPING SHORTS

IT WASN’T NORMAL TIME: I SAWED THE TOP OFF A RAIN BARREL

FILLED IT WITH ICE AND WE STEPPED OFF THE PICNIC TABLE INTO IT

GIGGLED ACROSS THE BACK YARD

YOU SAID I WAS RIGHT FOR YOU, FOR NOW.

FOR NOW.

YOU LEFT TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING.

I UNDERSTAND YOU WILL RETURN WITHOUT THE EARS.

HOW COULD I HAVE ASKED (IN JEST) FOR

ANOTHER BITE OF YOUR CURSE OR

FOUND THE HEART TO CONFESS — ON YOUR WAY OUT THE DOOR:

THE CARROTS WERE DELICIOUS?