Paying Attention

Four-year-old Diego is playing in the pool. His mother, Darlene, is sitting in the sun beside the pool. She is reading a story in a book. At least, she is trying to read it.
“Hey, Mom! I am swimming!”

“Yes, honey, you are swimming.”

“Mom, are you watching me?”

“Yes, honey. Of course I am watching you!”

Diego is trying to splash water onto her book. She is trying not to get angry.

“Mom! You are not even watching me!”

“Yes, Diego! I am watching you and I am also reading my book. I am doing both things at the same time.”

“Mom, are you paying attention? I am doing a handstand.”

In the story, a police officer is chasing a bad man. The story is getting more and more exciting.
Suddenly, Diego is quiet, too quiet. Diego’s mother is getting up and looking around for Diego. She cannot find him. “Diego! Diego! Are you hiding from me? Diego! It’s not funny!” She is really worried. She is walking around the pool, looking in the water.
“Boo!”
Out of nowhere, Diego is standing right behind her.

“Diego! What are you doing?” she is crying and hugging him tightly.

“I am making sure you are paying attention, Mom!”

“Well, I am paying attention now and we are going home! No more playing today!”