Carter’s friend Maddie had a death in the family over Easter weekend. They included that event in their discussion as much as whether chocolate bunnies can still hear when they lose an ear. . . here are some snippets:
Me: Maddie has to go because she has dinner plans.
Carter: (lots of pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth)
Maddie: (quite calmly) you see, Carter, we had a death in the family, and when that happens, a lot of times you go to someone’s house to eat.
Archie: Yours dad died? (panicked) Yours DAD DIED?
Maddie: No, Archie, My Dad’s mom.
Carter: Why did she die?
Maddie: Well, you see, she had a lot of surgeries, even starting when she was thirty. Then, she was ninety-three, and she died. She had a sickness that attacked her health.
Archie: Where are we going? Are we going to Teddy’s house? I want to go to Teddy’s house.
Maddie: My Dad went to go see her, but she died and he didn’t get there in time to see her die.
Carter: Oh, don’t tell me. It reminds me of when Cleo died and I couldn’t see it because I couldn’t wake up.
Archie: Yours MOM DIED? (panicked again) Did Pam die?
Maddie: (with amazing patience) No, Archie, My Dad’s Mom. If it had been my mom, my dad would be looking for a new wife this week.
Carter: Now I guess your grandfather’s looking for a new wife.
Maddie: Or, he could live alone, I guess.
Archie: Are we going to Teddy’s? Did Max die?
Maddie: No, Archie. Max didn’t die. I hope when I get married, (thoughtful for a moment) that is, if I choose to get married, that he doesn’t die when I’m alive.
Archie: (suddenly even more horrified) Maddie? Then you’d die.
Maddie: Oh, Archie, it’ll be a very long time before any of us die. We’re young.
Carter: Unless we get shot when we’re seven.
Archie: Are we going to Teddy’s?
