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“It's about Uncle Tommy.”
Maddie barely holds back the sigh that threatens to cross her lips. Jee-Yun hasn't stopped talking about him since he showed her a photo of his new cat, Arnold, the day before. In fact, she never stopped talking about him since he came into her life. It might have been irritating if the duo hadn't been so endearing, the little girl fascinated by this new addition in her life.
Questions about him, his life, what are his favourite cereals and who is in his opinion the best member of the paw patrol squad. Stories about their adventures, visiting the zoo and playing with dolls and going to see movies with him and Uncle Buck, every detail retold multiple time. Thoughts on how he is the best story reader she knows because he does great sheep voices, and on how strong he is, and do you know mom that he has a car that is older than dad?
“What about Uncle Tommy Jee?” She asks as she continues chopping carrots, mildly focused on the recipe now that her daughter is in front of her, a serious frown on her face.
“I think he's a wizard.”
The mom stares at her daughter, wondering what she had done in her previous life to deserve such hardships. The knife stops mid movement, as if she needs every part of her body to stay attentive.
“What do you mean, he's a wizard?”
Jee-Yun looks to the left, then to the right, before she approaches the kitchen counter, her face just at the right size for her big brown eyes to be seen. Her voice is muffled even though they are the only one in the house right now.
"I heard him tell Uncle Buck how he flew to save some lady the other day." The kid stops, a serious expression on her face, as if this is enough to explain her point.
Which is not.
Maddie waits but nothing more come. Nothing but Jee-Yun, so sure about her discovery.
"And?" She asks, not sure what to expect.
Her lack of shock seems to disappoint her daughter whose frown deepens, the same way Buck's used to when he was a kid. It melts Maddie's heart to see how Jee looks like Howie and still inherited the Buckley pout.
"And? Mommy, Uncle Tommy can fly! Did you hear what I just told you?" She throws a disbelieving look at her mom, as if she's doubting the sanity of the woman. "Normal people can fly mom, only witches and wizards and Tinker Bell. Everybody know that."
It's vexing really, but Maddie decides to ignore it, more interested in what her daughter is saying.
Finally, she puts down her knife, carrots forgotten, and her hand goes through her hair in a gesture supposed to help her focus on what logic means to a five-year-old.
"Sweetheart, Uncle Tommy flies a helicopter, he does not fly in the sky by magic to save people."
Her other hand comes and starts to stroke her belly where the baby is calm. One day this new little one will, too, asks questions and believes things. She hopes it will stay this cute.
Because yes, Jee-Yun is really cute right now, even if she looks like a mad woman.
"No!" She replies, "Tommy is a firefighter and firefighters use fire trucks, they don't use helicoper!" Her pronunciation is not great, and it adds to the picture, making Maddie smiles with tenderness. Which is apparently not what her daughter wants if she judges by the look the little girl address her.
"Don't laugh!" Her pout and her little crossed arms don't help Maddie stay serious, but she tries anyway.
"I'm not laughing Jee-Bug! And I know that firefighters use fire trucks but sometimes there is no road to go where the fire is, so they have to use other vehicle. Like boats, or helicopters."
Jee-Yun takes a minute to think about what her mother just said. She looks disappointed and it makes Maddie's smile flicker. Away the magic, away the wonder of childhood. She hopes this hard reality won't break the admiration the little girl has for her uncle. Being the cause of such a disappointment would be too hurtful.
When the kid finally manages to find her voice again it's timid, soft, sad. "But... But he told me we could go and fly together to see what's in the clouds. I thought he would teach me how to do it..."
A part of Maddie's heart hurts to see her little one so sad about not being able to fly. The other one decided to picture Tommy flying in a superman suit and it's one of the most hilarious things she ever pictured.
She takes a few steps toward her daughter and tries to lean over her despite her really pregnant belly. Her hand comes and caress Jee-Yun's face. "Baby... Maybe he said he would take you with his helicopter? Uncle Buck told me it's a really big one, I'm sure they can find a spot for you. Maybe you will be able to watch him pilot."
She doesn't know if it's the cuddling or the words but Jee's face lights up, her smile back. "What?!" Her scream resonates in the whole house. "I knew Uncle Tommy is the best! I have to pack my suitcase so we can go on a trip with the helicoper! Do you think we can go see the stars today? I need to take my shampoo for the travel!"
Maddie doesn't have the time to respond to the little girl. Her daughter vanishes as fast as her sudden sadness. It makes Maddie smile while her hand search for her phone.
She now has to ask her brother's boyfriend if he can organize a chopper date. She hopes it can happen soon enough because Maddie knows there is no way she'll be able to unpack Jee-Yun's suitcase until she actually sees the clouds.