Good Girl

She repeats everything you say. "Nemo," I say as I point to a sticker in her crib. "Nemo!" she squeals. "Dora?" I ask as I pick up her doll. "Dora!" She laughs. "You're a good girl," I coo. Later that night as I'm drawing her labs she holds perfectly still, but tears wet her face. "I'm good girl," she cries, "I'm a good girl." "Yes," I hum quietly as I smooth her damp hair from her forehead, "you are." "Bye-bye, love" I say to her as I leave her room. "Bye-bye, angel," she replies, which might be the loveliest thing anyone has ever said to me.