By Harem
Date: 26 February 2001
PLAYING CUPID
PLAYING CUPID
During the early part of our new separation.
He would frequently come by to see the children.
Or to pick them up to spend some time with him.
This particular summer day, he stopped by without prior notice.
The children and I, were outside enjoying the warm sunnny day.
We were all amazed to see a car stop in front of the driveway.
Especially since it was their Dad.
Both boys were riding their cars through imaginary roads.
While my daughter was using a little shovel, diligently digging in the sand.
The baby was crawling about, playing with a plastic dump truck.
He got out of his car...... and walked up the driveway.
The kids ran to him and gave him each a hug.
Except , of course, the baby, who never did like him.
As per usual...... she ignored him.
When I asked him, why the surprise visit.
His reply was something, like he just wanted to see the kids.
for a few minutes.
And so , he did.
They gradually began to ignore him, and went back to their playing.
All except, my three year old daughter..
I was standing in the driveway next to my car.
He came over to me...... and proceeded to start a conversation.
At first, I was unaware that we were being watched.
As we talked, I felt a soft little hand touching mine.
Slowly the chubby fingers moved my hand.
Suddenly, I felt the clasp of a large masculine hand.
It was His hand.
Which our daughter had so cleverly placed upon mine.
We both laughed.. and I felt a blush overcome my face.
Gradually letting go of each others hand.. we continued to talk.
Suddenly the little fat hand clasped mine again.
And once more.. The large masculine grip was upon my hand... as before..
Looking down... I saw her trying to hide behind him.
As she let go, of both our hands.. which were now intertwined..
She tried repeatedly.. to get us to hold hands.
In her clever little ploy to play Cupid..... with her Mom and Dad...
Eventually she tired of this , as she realized her attempts were futile...
And quickly undone.
She now resorted to plan B.. in her original childlike naiive way..
I can only imagine what ran through her little blonde head that day..
She was only just turning 3 years of age..
A baby playing Cupid with two adults who meant so much to her..
Reminding me of when I was little... and used to pray for God...
to make my Dad love my Mom.
And how frustrated I became when my prayers went unanswered.
Next, she began to quiz her Dad..
"Daddy........ do you love Mommy" ???? she blurted out.
"Yes, I like your Mom"... he replied after some careful thought..
"NO...... NOT like ...... LOVE......" she demanded.......
"NOT.... do you like her....... Do you LOVE her." she replied..
How could a baby know the difference...... and catch his evasion of her question...
He was really trapped now...
I felt embarassed...
And very uncomfortable..
And I am sure...... he was too..
She was persistent for the exact answer to her question..
Finally.... he replied......"Yes, I guess in my own way, I do. "
At first she seemed satisfied with his answer.. It was what she had hoped for..
It showed in her little pink face and in her lovely hazel eyes..
She would not, however, leave it at that..
She continued..... "Then why do you leave her alone so much "??????
I never did find out if he replied.. or if so...... what his reply was.......
She had struck the strings of my heart... and to this day.....
I am not sure just exactly which strings they were....... pain for myself.......
or for my little daughter..
I pretended I heard the phone ring.. and ran into the house...
to hide the tears that were streaming down my face..
I remained inside .. until I was sure he had left...
And then with composure, I rejoined my children to continue our summer playtime outside.... Making sure that they never sensed the pain in my heart..
**
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