The Cat

During the sleepy drive back to BaBa & PaPa's from Uncle Robert & Aunt Shery's this weekend, Charlie suddenly pipes up from the backseat, "I want a cat."

Jason and I exchange stunned glances.  Not only do Uncle Robert & Aunt Shery not have a cat, but no one we know has one, other than Bob & Donna's three-legged, anti-social, outside cat, Jelly.

Mommy: I'm sorry buddy, but we can't have a cat.  I'm allergic to cats.
Charlie: Nooooo.  I want a cat.  Why are you allergic?

(Insert about 5 minutes of explanation on allergies, apologies and silence)

Charlie: That makes me sad.  I want a cat. (repeated periodically for a couple minutes)
Charlie: When I grow up I want to be a farmer...so I can have a cat (long pause) and a goat and a cow and a donkey and lots of animals in my big barn.  I will try to keep the cat away from you, Mommy, but it will probably whine, so if I can't, I just can't.

(Insert 2 days of cousins, airplanes, etc)

During our morning drive downtown for French class and fun at the Childrens' Museum, Charlie suddenly pipes up from the backseat... "When I grow up, I will keep the doors on my barn closed."

Mommy:  When you're a farmer?  Ok, but why, Buddy?
Charlie: So my cat won't bother you.