Dad Entry #164

Megan lost another tooth, and when the bleeding stopped, her focus shifted to the Tooth Fairy. We were readying for a night’s sleep on mattresses in the family room (a Saturday custom), and Megan wondered if she should transact the matter in her real bed, in her bedroom. We chatted. We examined the issue of temporary pillows with profound thoroughness and respect. Would the Tooth Fairy be inconvenienced or confused or less generous? Michael was there too, and it struck me as odd. He knows it’s all a charade now, and I winked at him, but without a doubt he’s never seen me lie with such grace and ease. We still play jokes on each other, but with considerably less duplicity and duration. Of course, I did the same song and dance with Michael not long ago, but he didn’t know I was lying then, and this struck me as different. A pinch of discomfort registered. Maybe I’m crazy. I know I’m weird. I just want the kids to be honest. It’s difficult. No one achieves a perfect record of honesty, but there are varying levels of subscription to the general principle, I’ve noticed.

Michael came to my softball game last night, and for the first time ever, he was intent on watching. There are usually ringers on both sides, and plenty of action all over the field, great plays, long drives, big fellas crushing the ball at opponents who, in some cases, must react instantly or be seriously harmed. Michael said, “You look pretty good out there.” Thanks, Bud.

We are Iron Man fans. Even Megan. I was sold the moment I saw Robert Downey Jr. over solder irons in the first movie. Early in my career, I spent many hours soldering microelectronics, inhaling flux fumes and suffering burns, and incautiously exposing myself to lead. All for a modest salary. But back to superheroes…. We also like Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Wolverine, and pretty much every other Avenger, mutant, Justice-Leaguer, or tights-wearing ass-kicker. We loved the Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” even though it was too long. We’re addicted to “The Ultimate Spiderman” cartoon (not to be confused with “The Amazing Spiderman," but what kind of idiot would make that mistake). And we have yet to reveal, even furtively, any kind of disproportionate appreciation for the button-busting-cleavage-wielding heroines of some shows and comic books. This is good. Megan harbors no instinctual favor for females either, no sense of gender solidarity, no preference for “girl power.” There are, of course, some incredible superheroines, and we know and love them, but we appraise simply; it’s about superpowers, bad guys vanquished, and world-takeover-plots foiled. Humor, charisma , and costume hold little sway. Only sheer awesomeness matters to us!

Michael asked me, “Do you think I could make a real Iron Man suit someday, like Tony Stark?” He asked with a kind of sheepish awareness of the grandiosity of it. But I didn’t blink or smile or do anything but answer seriously, “Yes, absolutely, with focus and hard work you can do impressive things, Michael.” He seemed satisfied with my answer. He’ll need to assemble a very talented and well-funded engineering team, and maybe enlist the help of Larry Page or raise Steve Jobs from the dead, but it’s possible.