Work Text:
Pippa ran toward the checkout desk, slipped in her snow boots as she added her book to the pile.
"Don't you have enough?" Clint asked.
"Nope" Pippa said.
"She got that off the banned book table," the clerk said.
"It's a children's book," Clint asked, "why would anyone challenge a children's book?"
Pippa raised her hand like she had been taught in school.
"Pip," Clint asked, "do you know why some people don't want that book read?"
Pippa nodded vigorously.
"Do you want to share?" Clint asked.
"Tango has a a Poppy and a Daddy like me," Pippa said.
"Is Tango the penguin we saw on PBS?" Clint asked.
"Yes, his Poppy and Daddy took turns siting on him when he was an egg at the Park Zoo."
"You love the Central Park Zoo," Clint said.
"I do," Pippa said, spreading her arms wide, "I really do."
"Where did you get your dramatic flair?" Clint asked.
Pippa pointed at him and said. "Auntie Nat said so."
"Then it must be true," Clint said.
"I thought so," Pippa said
Clint tried to hold his laughter in and wished for the hundredth time that Phil was here to see her.
"Book lady?" Pippa asked, "how many of Tango book do you have?"
"22--21 after you buy yours," the clerk said.
"What are we going to do with 22 copies of Tango?" Clint asked.
"I have plans," Pippa said.
"I'm not surprised," Clint said, paying for their books and the 21 other copies of Tango.
Afterward,Clint led Pippa toward the limo as his daughter asked, "Can we watch Fascinated?"
"I don't know what that is, baby," Clint said.
"Mickey Mouse with the pretty music," Pippa said.
"That's "Fantasia", Clint said as Happy pulled out into traffic and drove toward the tower.