Steve watches his father on the other side of the booth at Benny's Burgers. He watches him scan the newspaper in front of him, flipping it to read the other side, and Steve tries again, "Dad... Dad! Daaaaaaaaaa-"
"Christ, Steven," Richard Harrington swears, looking up at his five year old. "What?"
"Can I ask you a question? It's important."
"Do you think seals wish they had people arms?"
Richard gives him a blank stare.
He goes back to his newspaper.
"Dad? Did you hear me?" Steve asks. "Do you think-"
"No, Steve," He sighs. "It's a pointless question so no, I don't think about nor have I ever considered if seals wish they had arms. I doubt they're capable of that level of cognitive thought."
"Do you wish you had flippers instead of hands?"
"Steve," Richard says with the patience of a lawyer questioning a difficult witness. "Figure out what you want for lunch and keep quiet."
"Oh. Okay," Steve says. "I want french fries."
Steve picks up a crayon and colors on the paper placemat. His father goes back to reading until-
"Do you think the seals will wave at us when we see them 'cause seals can wave with their flippers and-"
"We're not going to the zoo."
"What?" Steve frowns. "But - but you promised!"
"There was a change in plans. I have to meet someone here today. I already told you this. You need to pay attention."
"N-no, you didn't! I'd a'member 'cause it'd hurt my heart 'cause you - you said we'd really go this time and - and - you're a liar!"
"Quiet down," Richard hisses. "We will go another time but not if you throw a tantrum. You're better than that."
Steve drops his head on his crossed arms and all but whines, "I want to go now."
"I know," He sighs, drops a hand onto his son's head and ruffling his hair. "Sometimes things come up and we have to reschedule. It's no big deal. I need you to behave when Greg gets here. Steve, you got that?"
"Good," He says. "If you're good, you can get a new toy."
Steve stays like that for a while.
His head pillowed on his arms, his eyes filled to the brim with tears, anger in his heart, and then he sucks it up. He lifts his head.
"I’m mad at you," He declares. "I don't wanna have Steve and Dad day no more and-"
"-I don't wanna talk to you anymore. I want my mama 'cause she's not a liar. I’m goin' home."
He crosses his arms and he pouts before declaring, "I’m goin' over there and you can't stop me."
"I hope a seal never waves at you."
