Disciple

“I can rap,” says the five-year-old.

“Go on then.”

“I’ll put your face in your lap / Niggers try to be the king but the ace is back.”

In my sternest tone, I explain to her what ‘nigger’ means. She vows never to use the word again.

Later, as we play Buckaroo, the 13-year-old strolls past, rapping:

“I’ll put your face in your lap / Niggers try to be the king but the ace is back…”

I chase him and scold him.

I return to Buckaroo. The mule has bucked.

“I took your go,” says the five-year-old, “you lost.”

The Male Nanny