Right now, we are stopped at a rest area in Oklahoma. Charlie is staring at her phone while pacing circles around an outdoor playground. It’s one of those tiny playgrounds with rubber padding on the ground and padded, 3-D animals to climb on. I remember when you used to take us to the “mall-and-play.” Ha! I can’t believe I really thought it was called the “mall-and-play!!” I guess it makes sense whenever you hear your parents ask if you want to go to the mall and play every weekend.

I kinda wish Charlie wanted to play with me on this tiny playground, but what would we even do? She could help me get down the baby slide where my feet touch the ground while my butt is still at the top of the slide. Nah, I guess those times are gone. She can stare at her phone, and I can write to you. Separate people. Separate worlds.