Tooth Fairy

One of my 7 year old son's friends would often catch a ride with us to summer camp. He's eight and lives in the neighborhood too, so it just made sense for the parents to trade off pick-ups and drop-offs.  A six-year-old cousin also lives across the street and went to the same summer camp would also sometimes be part of the caravan to camp.

One particular day, the three boys were riding in the back of the car with my husband driving that day.  One of the boys had lost a tooth, and believing they were without a parent listening in, they began to speculate on who or what might actually be leaving the money under the pillow.  Was there really a tooth fairy??  The conversation went as follows:

"So, did you get any money?"

"Yep, I got $5."

"$5??? I only got $2!"

"Do you think it was really the tooth fairy?"

"Who else would it be? Do you think it was your Mom or Dad?"

"So, does Santa bring presents??"

At this moment, the 8 year old caught my husband's eye in the rear-view mirror - he had been listening in and giggling at the deep conversation between the boys in the backseat.  The 8 year old looked a little panicked and then proceeded to assure the other two that it was in fact the tooth fairy who's left the money, and changed the subject.  My husband giggled a little in the front seat.

On arrival at the summer camp, the three boys got out of the car and followed my husband towards the entrance.  The 8 year old sped up and sidled my husband, looking straight ahead, leaving the other two boys a few feet back.  He actually scared my husband, because he just came out of nowhere.  Still staring straight ahead and talking quietly, without moving his lips, the forty-year-old-trapped-in-an-eight-year-old-body said, "Don't worry, Jamie, your secret is safe with me."