Momma, can I have a cookie?

“Cookie, Momma?”

“No, honey. We’ll be eating dinner in a few minutes.” 

“Momma. Please. Cookie.” 

“Maya, it’s time you listened and understood what the word “no” means.” 

“Why Momma? Why?”

“It will ruin your appetite for dinner.”

“Dinner? But I want a cookie, not dinner.”

“A cookie cannot replace dinner.”

“Who says?”

“Adults say.” 

“Why do you drink and eat cheese and grapes before dinner?”

“We’re not discussing that right now. We’re discussing you and your inability to eat cookies before dinner.”

“Momma, you love me?” 

“Of course, mi amor.” 

“Why won’t you give me a cookie then?” 

“It’s almost dinner time; I already told you.” 

“However, Mother, aren’t deeply affectionate individuals inclined to do whatever they can to support their family members?” 

“Yes, mi amor, they do.” 

“Then why can’t you give me a cookie before dinner?” 

“Because it will spoil your dinner.” 

“Momma, what you are saying doesn’t make sense.” 

“But why not, sweety?” 

“If you truly loved me, as you claim, you would unquestionably give me the cookie. However, your constant refusal, stating that a cookie would ruin my dinner, has led me to conclude that either you don’t truly love me, you don’t want me to ruin my dinner, or we don’t have any cookies. Now, which is it?”

“What did you say?”

“Which is it?” Which one, Momma?”

“Perhaps we should change the subject.”

“Okay, what about a pop tart?”

“What about a pop tart?

“Can I have one of those, Momma?” 

 “No, you may not, Maya; pop tarts will spoil your supper.” 

“Supper? I thought you said it was almost dinner time. Not supper.” 

“Maya, that’s enough talk about eating something.” 

“Fine, Momma. However, you are not a kind mother, as are other mothers who permit their children to consume cookies. 

“Maya, that’s enough. You can always eat whenever you want with no questions unless it is close to dinner time.” 

“Although I don’t like it, Mother, I must follow your illogical plan.”

“Illogical plan?” 

“Yeah, you heard me.” 

“Now, Maya, that’s not appealing at all.” 

“No, it’s not like politely requesting a cookie only to deny it because you’re in line for dinner.”

“Maya, I warned you about talking to me about your damn cookie again.” 

“Oh yeah, well, what will you do about it?”

“Maya Jacqueline Spencer, I am your momma.”

“Yes. You are expected to love me unconditionally and provide me with everything you have, but that is not the case, correct? That’s also not what you’re doing.”

“Maddy, can you please set the table?” 

“Sure Mom. I’ll be down in a quick minute.” 

“Okay, dear. Thanks. I appreciate that.” 

“Well, Missy. Let’s get your highchair and your bib ready, shall we?”

“Why Momma? All I’m having for dinner is a cookie.” 

“You’re not little Miss Maya, but you can be sure of that.”  

“Wait a minute. You cautioned me that consuming a cookie would detract from my dinner. But now you're telling me it's dinnertime, and I can't have a cookie. Now, I’m super confused, Momma.”

“We never spoke about your dinner being a cookie. Your dinner is spaghetti. After you eat, you can have some of your precious cookies.” 

“I don’t understand Momma. Even though I followed your instructions, you refused to let me have my cookie. What’s the point then? I don’t want it anymore anyway.”  

“You can have the cookie after you eat the spaghetti, I told you.” 

“I don’t want to eat the spaghetti. And now I don’t want to eat the cookie.” 

“Everyone, let’s adjust our plans.” We’re going out to eat. We’re going to a place where we get a tasty meal and a delicious dessert. Can anyone guess where that might be?” 

“Is it Dairy Queen, Momma?”

“Could be. Maddy? What do you think?” 

“Dairy Queen.”

“Well, let’s go get Daddy, and then let’s go.” 

“I am thrilled that we’re all going out for dinner. This is the best place for us to go out and eat as a family.”  

“I’m not so sure Dairy Queen is the best place for us to go as a family, girls.” 

“Daddy, not you, too.” 

“What do you mean, Maya, ‘not me too.’”

“Momma was not allowing me things I wanted despite telling me she loved me. Now you are doing the same thing.” 

” Maya, why do you think that is?” 

“I don’t know, Daddy. I hope it’s not because you don’t love me anymore.” 

“No, that’s not the reason, of course.” What other reason could there be?”

“You don’t like Dairy Queen?” 

“Well, yes, that’s a possibility.”

“But that’s not the reason, is it, Daddy?”

“No, that reason is not the real reason either.” 

“Well then, Daddy, what is the real reason for you not allowing me to eat at Dairy Queen or for Momma to allow me to eat a cookie?”

“Why would we do that? What could we possibly do to cause you harm? We are your parents, and we love you.”

“I am not hungry at all, Daddy. I have no desire to go anywhere or eat anything at all. I am upset that you both have hurt me to my core. Denying me my most basic food group and not allowing me to convince you otherwise.”

“All right, little girl. We’ve had enough of this, Maya. Despite all our conversations, you strongly disagree with everything I or your father say, even when it contradicts your desires or hopes. So it all ends here.” 

“Momma, you and Pappa think a cookie is the cause of this problem. The issue began with the cookie. The real issue with love often lies in whether one feels loved. I am not feeling loved.”

“That’s ridiculous, baby. Nobody loves you more than your birth parents. Everyone, whether they have children or not, understands this. Especially if those children can’t do much for themselves just yet.”

“Oh, I can do plenty of things for myself, Momma. Since it makes me feel loved, I let you keep doing them.”  

“Is that so?” Well, maybe we should get out of the car. Eat the spaghetti for dinner, and then you can help yourself to your cookie.” 

“All I understand, Momma and Pappa, is that I love you. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

“Attention all occupants: We will serve spaghetti in the dining room in ten minutes, followed by cookies and ice cream for everyone interested.”