#oddat

"Are you boots on in the right feet?" Calum asked his four year old as he tied his Vans.

"Yes." She replied as she sat back down and fixed her shoes.

"Alright, let's go." He said.

He grabbed his keys and waited for her to tell their dogs goodbye and kiss the tops of their heads. She ran to him and jumped up. Calum carried her to the car like a sack of potatoes. Once safely buckled in her booster seat, he grabbed her wand from in the pocket behind his seat and handed it to her.

Ever since they saw Wicked in theaters, Nico must sing No One Mourns the Wicked the second the car starts. It doesn't matter how long the car ride is. They could be driving down the street to pick up Rory for a playdate or going to Joshua Tree. Either way she has to sing the entire song even if it mean Calum had to circle around for six minutes.

Calum queued up the song as the car warmed up. He replied to a text Alexis Ximena sent about how boring it was being in her hotel room. She was currently in Montana filming for the Happy Place movie adaptation. He replied that he and Nico were going to the diner outside their neighborhood to get burgers and milkshakes for dinner.

He placed his phone in the cupholder and pressed the garage opener.

"Papi, my song please." Nico called from her booster seat.

"I know, let's just get on the street first." He said.

He pulled out of their house and pressed the garage opener to close. He pressed play on the screen and the dramatic instrumentation began to play.

"GOOD NEWS... SHE'S DEAD!" Nico sang along loudly.

Calum chuckled seeing her tiny hand hold the plastic wand that was most her height througg the rear view mirror. The diner was at least a two minute driven but with rain it was about five. And for Nico's luck, there was no parking so Calum had to drive around the shopping center until there was a sign of a car leaving.

A woman walked out of a Trader Joe's type grocery store and signaled Calum to follow her to her car. Nico continued singing. The woman led them to a blue Audi and quickly placed her bags in the trunk. She pulled out and let Calum take the spot.

As Calum pulled the brakes Nico jumped off her booster seat to hit the final note.

"Oi, we don't jump off our seats when the car's still on." Calum said, turning off the ignition.

"But you're in a parking." She pointed tothe parking spot.

"Nico, it doesn't matter. You have to be careful. Okay?" He said.

She nodded.

"Alright let's get our food." He said.

"Can we get milkshakes for Duquito, Bernie and Fresita?" She askedn hopping down the car.

"No, but can bring them fries in a doggy bag." He said.