I pick up the plate of orange peels
And step over the pile of kids’ clothes, mini dinosaurs and sports cards.
“I’m just going to tidy up and then we’ll pick up Colum from the school bus and check out a new park.”
Irene looks at me.
“But when are we going to go to the sabanah?”
” …. “
I realize that Zabumafu is on TV.
“Do you mean the savannah? The African savannah?”
“Yes, that’s what I mean.”
“Well, I don’t know, sweetie. I’ve never even been to the savannah. It’s far away across the world.”
Looking at me and batting her eyelashes,
“Pleeeeeease.”