Page 44 of Big Bad Single Wolf Dad

“Ten more minutes,” I say, looking at the clock on my cell phone. “Then you can go back to playing.”

“Aww, but Mom, why!” Ethan cries like it’s the end of the world. Mia also mopes, arms crossed in frustration.

“Because I want that spaghetti and watermelon to stay inside of your stomachs, not on the bouncy castle floor.” I glance at Greg, who looks sheepishly at his own kids.

“She’s right,” Greg says. “Everyone let your stomachs settle before going back.”

We are met with an actual choir of moaning and dismay.

“It’s just ten minutes!” I say with a laugh. “This place will be open for five more hours, you’ll be fine.”

“You know what’ll make that ten minutes pass by quicker? A game,” Greg announces. His kids sit up straighter, a light gleaming in their eyes. But Mia and Ethan look wary of the proposal. They’d much rather return to climbing ropes and falling face-first on plastic cushions.

“Can we play alphabet soup?” Lily asks.

I frown, having never heard of this game. I’m concerned Mia and Ethan will feel left out. But Greg is quick to lay those concerns to rest.

“Sure. Alright, guys. Here’s how to play the game.” Greg leans over the table to my kids, making sure they understand. “I’ll name a category, then we’ll go through the alphabet and everyone has to name something that starts with each letter. I’ll let Lily start to show you. Ready, Lily?”

His daughter nods her head quickly, a wide smile on her face.

“The category is animals!” Greg declares.

“A is for aardvark,” Lily replies quickly.

“B is for bat,” Noah says immediately. “Your letter is c, Ollie.”

Ollie thinks for a moment before giving his response. “C is for koala!”

The kids erupt into giggles, Ollie seemingly pleased rather than embarrassed with his error.

“That’s the letter k, buddy. You want to try again?” Greg asks gently.

Ollie thinks hard again until Noah leans over and whispers in his ear.

“C is for cow!” Ollie yells loud enough for the entire room to hear.

Mia is next. She looks a little shy, which is strange for her. But eventually, she takes her turn. “D is for desert rain frog.”

I sigh, my exasperation turning into a knowing laugh. I’d almost forgotten Mia’s amphibian phase last year. She was suddenly obsessed with frogs and toads and begged me to take her to the zoo and library to study them every week.

“You’re showing off!” Lily laughs. Mia smiles proudly, then elbows Ethan to take his turn.

“E is for elephant,” Ethan says. Then he shrugs. “I don’t know any impressive animals that start with e.” He elbows his sister back.

There’s a pause in the game, and I suddenly realize everyone is staring at me.

“Oh, am I playing, too?” I ask.

Greg nods. “This game is for everyone.”

“Well then, f is for flying squirrel.”

Noah’s eyes go wide, looking at me like I’d just said something audacious. “You can’t do that! Can she do that?”

“Do what?” I ask, not expecting to be put on trial for my response.

“I agree. A squirrel is a squirrel, and starts with s.” Ethan nods, ready to back up Noah’s position.

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