the most dangerous game

In the car, on the way to school:

Me: you know what, Chicken?

Chicken: no. I don't know what.

Me: I love you so much.

Chicken: yeah.

Me: you love me?

Chicken: mmmmmm... No. No, I don't love you.

Me: well, I think you do.

Chicken: no, I don't. I can't. It's too dangerous.

Me: yeah. Yeah, you're right baby. It is dangerous to love somebody.

Chicken: yeah. Too dangerous.

Me: because when you love somebody, that person you love can hurt you the most, or if you lose that person or that person gets sick or hurt, it can really hurt your heart...

Chicken: mm hmm. Hey mommy?

Me: ... but when you love somebody that also means that person makes you happy, that they make you feel safe and known and appreciated--

Chicken: hey mommy?

Me: -- so loving somebody is dangerous, but it's also a precious gift, and the best part of my life is loving you and loving our family.

Chicken: mommy?

Me: yes, baby?

Chicken: can we have tacos?

Me: um--

Chicken: can we have tacos?

Me: sure--

Chicken: no. No tacos. We can't. They're too dangerous.