Educated
A short chapter about Chloe's new word!
Frank couldn't contain his laughter stepping out of the lobby. In his hand there was a postcard with a picture of a famous green reptile.
The crocodile, or so he thought.
Apparently it was an alligator.
Or so he had just been told by his co-workers' two-and-a-half year-old who had been sitting in the lobby. She and her mom were going home momentarily. Frank had been grumbling about "what in the hall" the words written on of the back of this "crocodile picture" meant, he felt a tug on his pant leg and looked down.
"Hey there, Chloe," he smiled.
"Unca Frank?" She replied, ignoring his greeting. "Dat's not a 'rocodile. Dat's an allidator."
"Oh?" Frank said, bending down. "And how do you know, lil missy?"
"'Dere nosies and dere tails are 'ifferent," Chloe said, pointing to the image. "But," she said, more dramatically, "if 'ou tan't ran really fast, they bot will eat you!"
"What's so funny?" Eric asked, seeing walk into the trace lab.
Frank told the father all about his 'lesson.'
Eric chuckled. "Well, it's not a theory I would like to test."
The knowledge of reptiles wasn't the only new thing with Chloe. She now had learned the power of one word.
No.
The first time Chloe told daddy 'no' it was said in such a tone that it was hard for Eric to get angry, in fact, he struggled not to laugh. He told Chloe it was time to put her toys away and get ready for bed.
"No," the little girl said, not in a sassy tone, but like he asked if she wanted a drink, shaking her head and continuing to play with her blocks.
"What did you just say to me?" He asked, surprised, feeling laughter bubble up.
"No," she repeated in the same tone.
Eric went over to his daughter and bent down so she faced him. He managed a serious daddy face for a few minutes before he laughed.
"Daddy said it's time for bed. You don't want to miss your story, do you?"
"No," Chloe replied.
"Well, put your blocks away. I'll give you a few minutes and then we'll get your jammies on."
"Otay," she said.
Eric left Chloe to put her blocks away. He shook his head and smiled. He couldn't help thinking this was one of the easier 'negotiations' the two would have.
