Use your imagination

My son Caleb likes to stay up late and watch movies with the big kids. Like any savvy six-year-old, he tries to negotiate when bedtime is enforced.

One school night he begged to stay up a little longer. Dad said, “no.”

“But I want to watch a movie,” Caleb begged.

“You can watch a movie,” Dad replied, “you can go to bed and close your eyes and watch a movie on the back of your eyelids.”

“Da—a—ad,” he cried, shoulders slumping.

Well, Caleb pounced on our bed at six am Thanksgiving Monday because he was anxious to finish watching Peter Pan (Columbia Pictures, 2004.) The live action film is based on J.M. Barrie’s brilliant original screenplay and books. Caleb laughed and guffawed at the flirtation between Peter and Wendy, and I’m sure his dreams had been filled that night with cruel-yet-bumbling pirates and flying children.

“No, Caleb,” Dad replied, in scratchy early-morning voice. “We’re going to visit Auntie Kimmie today. Maybe we’ll finish watching it when we come home.”

Caleb considered this while he cuddled deeper under the blankets. Then, with his eyes closed, “Okay, well, I’m watching a movie behind my eyelids.”

“Really?” Dad asked.

Caleb grinned. “Yeah…and I think the good guys are winning.” He paused for a moment, and then asked, “Dad, do you think they’re going to kiss?”

“Who?” Dad asked.

“Peter and Wendy?”

Dad laughed a little. “I don’t know. Do you want them to kiss?”

Caleb looked sheepish and gave the customary crooked smile he used when he was embarrassed to admit something. “Yes-s-s…” he giggled.

Oh, boy. Six.