Tough Question

I almost spit my food out. I managed to keep it in my mouth, but practically choked on it as it moved between my tightened throat muscles. Alarmed, I raised my eyes to search for Jeff's. He was also in a mild panic. I took a long drink of my soda.


"I don't understand what you are asking. Could you try asking it again?"


Xander put down his chicken sandwich and very calmly and seriously asked his question again. "How does the baby get inside the mom?"


I kept drinking my soda even though it was empty. I looked back across the table at Jeff with a nervous smile. Help! I wanted to say. Putting down the paper cup, I looked at Xander. "Do you remember what the book said? You take an egg from the mom and the sperm from the dad. When they mix together, it makes a baby."


I was well aware that the answer I gave him was not what he wanted to know. He already knew the answer I gave him AND the question that lead him to that explanation in the first place.


He didn't hesitate. "No mom. I know that. I want to know.... Okay, so a mom and dad decide they want a baby but not right away and so they don't have a baby. But then, later on, they decide they want to have a baby so they make one. How do they get the baby there, behind the belly button?"


It didn't work. My avoidance tactic only meant that he clarified the question to a point that I couldn't avoid it for the next round. I looked at Jeff again. "You could help me out here."


"We'll talk about this after we are done eating, okay buddy?" Xander agreed. I could have shot daggers at Jeff. Later would translate into right after dinner. That would mean Xander, Eva, and I in the truck. Jeff had met us after work and would be taking the Big Bad Motor Scooter home. At least he bought me some time to think about it.


Thankfully, Xander didn't ask me again. He was pretty distracted by his new crown. Knowing him, I have about 24 hours to come up with an appropriate answer. I don't even know where to begin. As it stands now, I am thinking a trip to the library is in order. (Thanks to the friend who was able to recommend a book written for 7 year olds!)