Kintropy In Action

"Ask Gabriel about S," Janette prompted me.  She and the kids had picked me up from work, and Janette was driving us home.

"Gabriel, Mom says to ask you about S."  I knew S. was a classmate of Gabriel's.  He had mentioned her a few times, and she had given him a note.  With pictures.  And an "I like you" message on it.

"We're dating," Gabriel said.

"Ah, okay," I replied, processing.  "What do you mean by dating?  Is she you're girlfriend?"

"Well, we went on a date at school, during recess."

Hannah chimed in, complaining that the car had stopped to comply with the red light.  She sat next to Gabriel, "All done.  All done.  Go."

"Hold on, Hannah," I asked.  "Maybe we should have S. over for a playdate," I suggested. 

Gabriel and I worked on the logistics:  who should call whom.  Hannah kicked her feet, willing the car to break free of the red light.  Janette glanced at me, looking for a reaction to Gabriel's assertion that he is now dating.

I really could wait longer for this whole phase to start.  Really & truly.  As Gabriel explained his date, I think it seemed an innocent enough way for him to describe playing with a friend who happens to be a girl.  I wonder if this is how it usually starts.  What ever happened to cooties?

-- Dad