Study Hard

In the car. Declan looks out window and sees a plane with the long white trail.

D: Look Mommy a rocket ship!!

M: Oh yes, I see

D: Can you open the window [sunroof] so I can see it? I want to go in a rocket. I want to go to space.

M: Not everybody gets to go to space. You need to make sure you study hard. It's not like going for a drive in a car or on a train or in a plane.

Then he's quiet and just stares out the window.

M: what's the matter?

D: *mumbles*

M: sorry buddy I couldn't hear you.

D: *more mumbling*

M: sorry Declan but it's loud and I can't hear you. Can you say that again?

D: I'm sad because you said I can't go to space.

M: No no, that's not true. I just mean it's not like how I bought this car or would buy a ticket for you to go on a train or in a plane. Only a select few people get to go to space. They are astronauts. You need to study really hard.

Then some silence. I park the car and Declan takes of his seatbelt. I open the car door for him and he looks at me.

D: I'm going to do really good in school mommy.

I sure hope so little man.