Scene: Driving to the softball game, running about 5 minutes late. Alexandra, who had a really bad day, is telling me all about it. Devon and Tony, in the back seat, keep interrupting.
Alex: It’s just been a really crappy day, mommy.
Me: Really? Tell me what happened.
Devon: Interjection. My day was not of crap.
Alex: Tahisha (not her real name) totally ditched me, like three times.
Me: That sounds not fun, Al. What else?
Devon: Query. Why do you keep hanging out with her?
Alex: And Mack (not his real name) is totally, like, so mad at me because he told me to call him last night and I didn’t.
Devon: Query. For what reason did your call not take place?
Me: You didn’t feel like calling him?
Alex: No. That’s not it. Yesterday someone opened my backpack during PE and they took out my purse and stole it. My phone was in there. (almost crying now)
Devon: Interjection. That sucks.
Tony: Query. That bites.
Devon: That’s not a Query, that’s an Interjection. Or an Exclamation, but you’d have to say it like this ‘THAT BITES!’
Alex: Everyone is all blaming me saying I shouldn’t lose my stuff, but it wasn’t me! Someone totally stole it!
Me: Man, honey, that sounds like a bad day to me. I’m sorry.
Alex: And, I’m hungry. All week at lunch I’ve had meetings and I will tomorrow, too.
Devon: Affirmation. You are in need of food.
Tony: Affirmation. I am hungry, too.
Devon: That’s not an Affirmation. That’s a Statement.
Me: Well, baby, we could stop and get something right now but you’ll be more late for your game. What do you want to do?
Devon: Request. Please get food.
Tony: Re-Request. I am in need of food as well. Or my systems will fail.
Alex turns around and looks at them.
Devon: Attempt to Retrieve More Information. Will we stop for food?
Alex turns back around and looks at me.
Alex: I don’t want to be late. I’ll just eat after.
Devon: Interjection. That is sad.
Tony: Observation. My systems might fail.
Devon: Good one, Tony. I should have thought of that one.
Me: Ok. We’ll eat after. Did you check the lost and found in the locker room?
Devon: Observation. Your lost article may be found there. You must ask there.
Alex: Yes. (turns to the back seat) Yes! I’ve already asked!
Me: Well, just keep trying. Maybe it will turn up.
Devon: Interjection. It ma-
Alex: Interjection! Shut up!
Tony: That’s more of a command Ali. Especially the way you said it all mad like that.