I was taking my son Q to preschool today and he asked, 

 

“Papi, can you tell me the story of when I was born on the freeway?”

 

I thought about it for a second and then started the story.

 

“…I was driving a borrowed car on the freeway, heading to the hospital and Mami was in labor and lying down across the back seat. She was lying in back because she couldn’t sit upright.  And we were in Aunt A’s [my sister-in-law’s] car because our car had a new infant-seat in the back, which was professionally installed by the local Sheriff, and which Mami didn’t want to take out; and that’s why we were in a borrowed car driving down the freeway and…"

 

“Papi,” Q interrupted, “tell me the story of when I was born on the freeway.”

 

“Well, son, you weren’t born on the freeway but Mami was in labor while we we’re driving on the freeway. When we got to the hospital I found Mami a wheel chair and…

 

“Papi,” Q interrupted again (at this rate I’d never get through the story) “I want you to tell me the story of when I was born, on the freeway.

 

It took a minute but I finally got it. 

 

“Oh, you want me to wait until we’re on the freeway to tell you the story.” I said. “I thought you wanted me to tell you about how you had been born on the freeway.”  

 

He got the joke and we had a good laugh.

 

Q usually asks for us to tell him this story (about the day he was born) when he wants to feel connected. Q and I have been doing some connecting, and some reconnecting, since yesterday. 

 

Our 2 year old, JT, was sick all last week. He’d been sporting a fever that peaked at 104.3. He had chills and did his share of throwing-up. He’s also had a cough that won’t quit. As a result, he’s been getting a lot time in Mami and Papi’s arms. 

 

All this came during a week when we were supposed to be focusing on Q’s big 5^th birthday party.  

 

And then during the actual party Mami and I had to take turns holding JT while he went through coughing fit after coughing fit. It was miserable. We tried our best to be available for Q, who seemed to have a good time with family and friends, but it was evident that we were distracted. 

 

I think Q had fun at his party but he has also noticed the amount of attention JT garnered last week.

 

Yesterday morning Q and I spent some time together. We went to the park and had fun with some of the birthday presents he had received. When he got hungry we went to a restaurant nearby and had a second breakfast.

 

While we waited for our food we did the activities that come on the back of the kids menus: crosswords, dot-to-dots, color the dancing pancake, etc. 

 

After the food arrived and we started eating I noticed that Q was very calm. He ate quietly and seemed content.

 

When he finished eating he slid across the booth and laid his head on my lap. After I finished eating he sat up and pushed his back up against me. I put my arm around him and we waited for the check.

 

After a little while he said, “Papi, how come you only take care of JT?”

 

I felt the question hit my heart but I wasn’t surprised to hear it.

 

“You feel like we only take care of JT?” I mirrored back. 

 

“I feel like you’re not taking care of me,” he said.

 

I knew where he was coming from.  

 

“Well, JT has been really sick,” I explained, “and when toddlers get sick they need a lot of attention.”

 

He was quiet.

 

“I want you to know I love you both the same,” I added. 

 

Explaining that I felt love for both my boys didn’t seem exactly right for the moment. 

 

So as he looked up at me I told him, “And I love you a lot.”

 

He broke into that wonderful smile of his as he snuggled up against me a little more. That smile still melts my heart. Then he scooted over to his side of the booth looking very much like a 5 year old.

 

We paid the check, drove home and took a nap.