1999, DECEMBER
Texas,
Elouise started Kindergarten four months ago, and she likes it very much. She's the Queen of the school. A ruthless Queen. The teacher calls us at least twice a week. She's a little s***. I think she's gonna get herself expelled.
Last week she had a field-trip to a nearby park and there was some kind of tube you're supposed to crawl through and some kid were sitting inside talking about some stupid kid things, while they were talking she hung her head down over the edge of the tube and said "FUCKERS!". The teacher put her in time-out. She wasn't amused.
In fact the very next day, those children were found covered with mud. There was no proof that it was Elouise doing, but we all know that was her who punished them for being telltales.
Anyways. Like I said, she likes it. And she is a heartbreaker. She has a new boyfriend every day. Sometimes a girlfriend too. And she already gave her first kiss. It was a month ago, I think.
Sammy and I were cleaning the weapons and Elouise was playing with the "hunter" cards we made for her. On those cards there are monsters and the weapons that kill them. It works like a memory game. You pick a monster and find the weapon that kills it. It's fun. In any case, we were busy. Then out of nowhere Elouise ask us how to kiss a boy. Like this:
"Dean, Sam how do I kiss a boy?".
I was dumbstruck. But Sammy was ready, and he answered her nonchalantly .
"With your mouth, Giggles."
"I know it, stupid. Can I kiss him on the mouth?"
"Yes, you can. "
"And a girl? Can I kiss a girl too?"
"Whatever, El. Girls, Boys. Doesn't matter. But you have to love them to kiss them like that."
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Sammy."
And she went back to play. WHAT. THE. ACTUAL.F***. I watched Sammy, and he was like "What? What have I done?". I just shrugged and went back to the cleaning.
I thought that that was it, that I wouldn't had to hear about Elouise sentimental life again for at least ten years.
I was wrong.
Two days later, while I went to take her from kindergarten, I saw her giving a peck to a boy. Then she waved him goodbye and run to me.
"Dean! I kissed Bill. Did you see me?! But I preferred Laura better. Dean, Do you prefer girl better too?"
Okay... Don't make a big deal out of it. Kids here age aren't really aware of gender.
"Yeah, I like girls better too." I say with a small smile, I mess up her hair but she just nods, all serious like.
"Good."
That was it. She got in the car and we headed back to home.
Now it is almost Christmas. We're all at home. Well, not all. Dad is hunting. "People are dying, kids." "I try to be home for Christmas, kids." Same old story. He won't be here, like he wasn't with us last year or the years before. I'm used to his absenteeism. It doesn't even bother me anymore. What can I say, if he really wanted to be here , he would be here. But he doesn't, so f*** him. I'm gonna give Sammy and Elouise the best Christmas ever. Like I've always tried to.
The house is all decorated inside. We have a Christmas tree too. Actually is not really a tree, we couldn't afford one. I built it with newspapers, piling up the pages and trying to give them a conical shape. It's nice. Maybe a little flammable, but nothing is perfect. Yesterday Elouise painted all the windows with green and red sharpies, drawing angels and presents, or at least trying to. I don't even know if I can clean them, I might have to get rubbing alcohol. But maybe we are going to have angels on the windows 'till June, who cares? The house is not ours, so I don't give damn. Anyway, Sammy made the rest of the decorations with paper, glue and a lot of fantasy. They're awesome, best decorations I saw in years. It almost seems to be back in Lawrence, when mom was still alive and dad was a better father, a present one. I miss that, I miss my mom, I miss my dad.
But Sam and Elouise are happy. So everything is good. More or less, but let's not be picky.