GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
SLOW LEARNER
Local two year old Noah Patterson confirmed this morning that today was once again the right day to place his fingers into the narrow gap on the hinge side of the lounge door and then close it.
The incident happened around 7:42am while Noah’s dad Mark was in the kitchen making toast and enjoying a brief illusion of calm. That illusion ended with a dull clack from the lounge followed by a short pause and then the scream.
“My finger!”
Mark already knew where this was going. He moved quickly but not urgently, as experience has taught him that speed does not prevent this outcome.
Noah was found crouched next to the door gripping his hand and staring at the hinge like it had betrayed him personally.
“Naughty door!” he said.
Mark picked him up and went through the routine of checking the finger, kissing the finger, using a soft voice. Everything a good dad is supposed to do.
Inside his head though Mark was torn between sympathy, confusion and disappointment. This wasn’t even close to the first time this had happened. The hinge side of the door has been explained, demonstrated and warned about many times.
Mark admitted that a small part of him wanted the pain to linger just long enough to leave a mark in Noah’s memory. Just enough pain to maybe connect two dots together.
“You’re alright mate,” Mark said. “That’s why we keep our fingers away from there.”
Noah continued crying for another minute until he realised that his finger was fine. His tears dried up quickly and the lesson slipped away just as fast.
Mark put him down and sighed deeply as Noah immediately wandered back toward the same door with fresh curiosity and no visible fear.
More to come.
