"Corny, I don't want that for her," Amber said, pleading with her husband for the millionth time. Corny continued ignoring Amber as he scooped up half dried Play-Doh and shoved it back into its cup.
"Amber," he said, wiping his hand on a dish towel, "she wants it for herself and who are we to stop her?" Amber rolled her eyes.
"Of course she does, Corny, she's five. All five-year-old's want to dance!"
"Then what's wrong with letting her?" he asked, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.
"If she wants to do gymnastics or soccer or knit, that's fine, anything but dancing!"
"Amber..."
"Christopher, I will not raise me!" Amber snapped, her face tinging red. Corny raised his eyebrows.
"Amber, you're not your mother, so just stop with the melodrama. And keep your voice down," Corny said, sighing. "If Kimberly wants to dance, then she can go to a dance class at Loretta's with Tracy and Link's kids. She's not going to be moonlighting at the Chez, not right now. Oh, baby, come on..."
Amber's face screwed up like it always did when she was about to cry. Corny slid down the front of the counter till he was kneeling and pressed his face to his palms, breathing slowly. "Amber," he said from behind his hands, "please don't."
"I just don't understand why you can't back me up on this!" she sobbed, her cheeks blushed as angry tears rolled down her face. "I have been there every step of the way with you."
"That's it," Corny said, standing up again. He took two steps forward and kissed Amber before walking past her, grabbing his coat, and out the front door.
"Corny!" Amber screamed after him, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. "Hmph."
"Mommy?" Kimberly asked from her spot on the floor. She was dressed in all pink, surrounded by coloring books and crayons.
"Yes, baby?" Amber sniffled, wiping her nose and turning to face her daughter.
"Daddy's stupid!" she laughed, rendering Mickey blue. Amber chewed her lip.
"Yes. Yes, he is."