Nem shows me little stringy and lumpy bits of dried glue, which, except that they are white, look like grotesque boogers.
Nem: Daddy, look what I found under the glue!
Me: In your nose?
Nem: No, under the glue!
Tia: He’s making a joke, Nem.
Me: Because they look like dried boogers.
Nem: No, I found these under the glue!
Me: I know, I joked that you found them in your nose, because they look like dried boogers.
Nem: Oh.
She offers a little courtesy laugh.
Tia smiles at me.
I laugh.
Nem: Daddy, look what I found in my nose!
She holds up the glue-boogers. I laugh more.
Nem: Daddy, Daddy, look what I found in my nose! Daddy, Daddy!
She keeps repeating things like this. I laugh harder until I’m in hysterics and crying. She tries to tickle me.
Nem: Daddy, look what I found in my nose! . . .