Playing SigCorp
"Okay, we've got the patient picked out and the memory machine set up. What's the patient's wish, Dr. Grace?"
"To live in a house full of kitties!"
"Huh, really? Do you know why?"
"Because kitties are soft and fluffy and cute, of course!"
"Can't argue with that logic."
"Oh," Eva, standing in the doorway of Grace's room, broke in, "so this is where Daddy's lab coat went."
"Hi, Mama!" Sitting on the carpet and being practically swallowed by the aforementioned coat she was wearing, Grace beamed up at Eva. "We're playing SigCorp!"
And so Grace and Neil were. In front of Grace was a stack of colorful blocks that served as the machine; and before Neil, who was sitting with their five-year-old daughter, was a doll, obviously the patient, covered to the chin with a blanket. Some of Grace's stuffed cats were lined up in a row, and whether they were there because of the imaginary patient's wish or simply because Grace wanted them there, Eva could only guess.
"Daddy's the traversal agent," Grace continued, "and I'm the technician!"
"Careful there, Neil," Eva said, giving her husband a slight, teasing smile. "Grace'll be stealing your job before you know it."
Neil just shrugged, unconcerned. "Believe it or not, Eva, I'd be totally okay with that."
Eva's smile broadened. "That's because you'd be willing to give her the moon if she asked."
"Daddy, I just remembered!" Grace piped up, returning her attention to Neil. "We gotta put glitter on the machine to make it pretty."
The smile vanished from Eva's face at the word "glitter." "Grace, you're not throwing glitter around your room."
"No worries, Eva." Neil waved his hand over the blocks. "I've got pretend glitter right here." He grinned at Grace. "How's it look, Gracie?"
"Very sparkly!" she said, nodding in happy approval. "Now we gotta talk to the patient!"
And as Neil held Grace's doll up and put on an old-lady voice, making her laugh, Eva found herself smiling again. It really was an adorable sight.