The Attic of Forgetfulness

Little kids seem to retain only information that they deem is necessary and important for functioning in life. Which in the case of Troy is obscure facts about animals, the plot line of every Disney movie, and things that I said months ago that he will now use against me. But it’s distinctly lacking in any information that is actually useful and helpful, like remembering which door his mother normally drops him off at when he has to go in early.

Me: “Which door does mama normally drop you off at when you go in early?”
Troy: “I can’t remember.”
Me: “Is it this one?”
Troy: “Yes.”
Me: “Do you know for sure, or are you just saying that because we’re sitting in front of it?”
Troy: “This is it…or maybe that one up there…or it could be the one we just passed.”
Me: “So, essentially you have no idea? You’re not paying attention when she drops you off?”
Troy: “I am, but I can’t remember. Dada?”
Me: “Yes?”
Troy: “Did you know sloth bears are called ‘sloth bears’ because they have claws like sloths?”
Me: “I did not. I thought they were called that because they were lazy.”
Troy: “And did you know that they can actually close off their nose to create a vacuum to suck termites out of their mound?”
Me: “Nope. That’s news to me too. I think this is the door here. I see someone standing inside.”
Troy: “Yeah, that’s definitely the door.”
Me: “Maybe I should go ask someone. You’re not exactly a reliable source.”