Bubblegum

"Thanks for waiting, Sweetie."  A glum face stares up at me.  "You don't have to stop whatever you're playing.  I just wanted to let you know that I'm ready when you are."  Her pout transforms into a toothless grin and she turns back to her passel of girls, all sitting criss-cross-applesauce in a cramped circle.  Giggles erupt as I walk away.

Later on the drive home, I ask, "What were you playing?"

"Bubblegum."

Suddenly I'm transported back to the 2nd grade and from somewhere, hidden away in the forgotten recesses of my brain, the words tumble out...

Bubblegum, bubblegum in a dish,
How may pieces do you wish?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!

Eyes wide with surprise are reflected in the rearview mirror.  "You know that game?!?"

A smile creeps across my face.  "I was a kid once, you know."

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Linking up with Write at the Merge this week - 200 words inspired by the picture above.