The Bug On Your Coat

Hi my dear friend,

I remember, as a child, 
loving April Fools.

The day when silly little lies 
were shared between 
family and friends. 

When it felt like 
an enormous effort to hold 
the giggles in…

To not give yourself away, 
even though you were having 
so much fun.

So now, on this day, 
when I look at my kids…

At their innocent faces 
hiding a faint smile, 
I already know that whatever 
they are about to say 
is probably going 
to be a lie.

But I happily fall for it anyway. 
Just to see their happiness multiply.

What a small price to pay 
for something that brings them 
so much joy.

And yet… 
when breakfast came around 
and we started counting 
how many people we had 
already fooled…

I was on everyone's list. 
But there was no one 
to be found on 
mine.

I guess the older I get, 
the quicker the smile 
beats the lie.

But, to be honest, 
I didn't mind it one bit. 
How can you mind, 
when the whole table 
is in on it?
 

So the morning carried on, 
as mornings do. 

Coats on. 
Getting ready for 
school. 

And we were almost 
out the door.
When all of a sudden, 
my son turned to me…
and paused.

"Mom, do I have 
something on my back?"

I looked, 
but nothing was there. 

"No, my dear. 
Everything looks fine."

"How about my pockets - 
is there anything in them?"
he asked, looking quietly 
at the floor.

"No, nothing out of the ordinary,"
I replied.

"Mom, are you sure there
isn't a spider? 
Or maybe something else… 
anywhere… on me?"

He looked at me
almost pleadingly.

Oh, my sweet boy.

I finally understood. 
He wanted me to have 
someone on my list 
too.

So I hugged him close, 
and then I smiled, 
and said…

"As a matter of fact, 
I do think there is a little bug 
on your coat. 
Right over… there."

He looked at the place 
I was pointing at 
and beamed.

Knowing full well 
that there would be 
nothing there 
to see.

With love,
Elina Janevica