True but Incorrect
An overheard argument where everyone wins.
A few days ago, on Amsterdam Avenue, in the high 70s or low 80s, I passed by a family turning to head down a very pleasant street–maybe toward their home. The dad was pushing a baby in a stroller, and the mom was arguing agreeably with their son, who looked to be about 8 years old.
"Mom, I want some cake," he whined. It seemed a little put on, like this is a game they play.
"We're about to get you some cake," she replied. "We just talked about this."
"A pancake isn't cake," he grumbled, making sure to step over the cracks in the sidewalk.
"It literally has the word cake in the name!"
"That is true, but still incorrect," sighed the boy. They've been down this cul-de-sac before.
I was too far away to hear the rest, but it seemed wonderfully cozy. I hope she got to win the "we're having pancakes–not cake–at 10:00 am" portion of the argument, because moms should win. But, I also wonder if they both had the sense that they were winning, in that moment. It's probably foolish to project that type of perspective onto an 8-year-old, but I bet he will feel this way one day.
I wish them long lives of amiable disagreements, and of being right and incorrect at the same time–of love disguised as exasperation.