Three Guesses

Conversation in the car, on the way to preschool –

“Hey, lets play a game. Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? If so, don’t tell me. The game is for me to guess what you want to be, ok? I get three guesses."

"Are you ready?"

"Yup."

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"Do you want to be a Doctor?"

"No."

"Do you want to be a Mayor?"

"Nope."

"Ok."

"Now I have one more guess, all right, then you have to tell me what you want to be."

"Do you want to be a firefighter?"

"NO."

"Dad, I am not going to tell you ‘till we get closer to school."

"All right.”

*Crickets * chirp * crickets *

Park the car.

He unclasps his belt, jumps out of his seat and leans towards the front seat.

“Dad, I am going to tell you what I want to be when I grow up."

"Ok."

"I want to wear a suit.”

(At this point, I was really enthused. Wow, a business guy, like his mom, perhaps a banker, an attorney, a mortuary man?)

“I have to whisper it to you."

"Sweet, can’t wait."

in a hushed tone - 

"I want to be Iron Man."

"Oh.”

We hop out of the car and walk the walk. Step one, step two….. step 36, 37, 38…

“Dad, do you want to be Iron Man too?"

"No."

"I want to be Captain America."