Daddy, are you Gay?

It was the Saturday before I left for Greece. I had to go to the city and book a ticket. Monica implored that I take Aga with me – more so because I would be away for the entire week and Aga would be missing me terribly.

Why not?

I met one of my ex-colleagues in the city centre and we were enquiring about what had transpired over the past few years and how things have looked in general. As most of you know, Aga can read – he can read very well most of the Stage 1 and 2 books I have bought for him. He can read words that are even 7 to 8 characters long {a task that is difficult even for his mummy}. Well, ok, he cannot always get them right since English is a funny language. An example would be “Naughty”. He would pronounce that as “Nawghaty” which is fine according to me.

Not only that, these days, he can take a word and phonetically spell it out for me. He would be watching TV, hear a word from it and come and spell a word randomly. For example, “Rangers”: “Rrr Aaa Nnn Gaaa Eh Rrrr Ssss”.

You get the point!!

So, during my conversation, my ex-colleague remarked that one of our ex-colleagues always sounds convincingly “G-A-Y”. {trying to make sure the offending word does not fall into Aga's ears}

We quickly say goodbye and I go into Mountain warehouse to look for a jumper. Aga who has been patiently listening, all the while, interrupts me:

Aga: Daddy, What is Gay?

Err. Ok. Dodgy subject; don’t go there. My mind pre-warns me but I am certain my son is 2 steps ahead. I am very sure of that these days. Hmm, my mind is racing for an answer, what do I say to that now?

Aha. I will just say, “Gay” means “Happy” {which lexically is almost a fair translation}. My mind is proud. Aha, I have an answer for that now!!

I: Hmm. Aga, it means “Happy”. Ok?

Aga: Ok.

A few seconds later:

Aga: Daddy, Are you Gay?

I: What do you mean Aga? {I really wanted to say “What the Fuckkkkk!”}

Aga: I MEEEEAAAANNN, Daddy, Are you HAPPPPYYY?

You should see Aga with his facial and body expressions when he is frustrated. He was disappointed and frustrated that I did not understand him - but, I did understand him. I just did not expect him to embarrass me in front of those people in the shop!!