"But why can't I visit Papa?" I ask Mother. I want to stomp my foot, but that'd be childish (even if I am only five years old) so I pout instead. "Papa is busy and making a surprise. Besides, Adrien, you have your Cat Noir doll I made for you." I sigh, I want to be good, but it's not always easy. "Yes, Mama."
"Would you like to make cookies, Adrien?" My head shoots up. "Cookies" are a magic happy word, and a grin blooms on my face. "Hooray! Cookie time with Mommy!" Mother chuckles. "And Adrien, Papa isn't the only one with a surprise." "He isn't?" "No. Oh, there's the doorbell."
Taking one hand of Mother's and my thumb in my mouth, I cradled my button eyed Cat Noir doll Mother made for me.
Mother opens the door and there stands Aunt Amelie and Felix! "Hiya, Cousin," Felix bounds into the antechamber. "I heard we're going to make cookies!" "That's right, Felix. Make. No magic of you and Adrien eating all the cookie dough before they head to the oven!"
Felix and I giggle, we're a mischief duo, him and I. That is, until Mother's starts coughing. "Mommy?" I want to cry or run away. I don't like that Mommy is sick. Aunt Amelie whispers to Mother. Then she turns to us. "Mother's going to lie down for awhile, but she said to make sure she gets a cookie!"
Felix takes my hand, and we follow my aunt like two little ducklings. Soon, eggs, butter, flour is everywhere, but Felix and I have a grand time. "More chocolate chips!" Felix crows, and I hold my breath. Will he pour in the whole bag?
Once the cookies are in the oven, Aunt Amile holds out the bowl. "Who wants to lick the bowl?" "Me, me, me!"
"Adrien!" I whirl around. "Papa!" I run to hug his legs. "I have a surprise for you. It's in the office." I look between Papa and Felix. "You can lick the bowl," I say generously, eyes downcast.
In the office, Papa tells me to close my eyes, then places something in my hands. "A frog! Oh, Papa!"
"His name is Papa Corn, and he's one of a kind, especially made for you." "Wow." My eyes grow as large as saucers. We play for awhile, then Auntie says the cookies are ready.
Even Mother joins us, and she smiles at my frog.
That night, snuggled under the blanket, I hug Papa Corn to my chest. Soon, everything will change, and I will need comfort in the form of my frog.