For over a year now, Helen, our three year old, has been fascinated by the music of Paul Simon. So much so, that every time we're in the car, she says:
Play Paul Simon.
Often if this request is not met, she will start screaming.
This is not good. Of course, the tantrum is inexcusable but. . . come on. I like Paul Simon as much as the next guy, but if I have to listen to Rhythm of the Saints again, I'm going to scream.
Helen is resolute. It's Paul Simon or it's screaming.
I've tried making substitutions. I've tried slipping some Simon and Garfunkel into the cd player. That didn't work. I've tried playing Reggae, Bahia, and African music, thinking maybe it's Simon's bands that Helen digs. Nope.
The other evening, Helen was in my car. As usual, she issued her request:
Play Paul Simon.
I looked around. There was no Paul Simon. Not on cd. Not in person. Not anywhere.
Time to make a stand.
Me: Helen, I'm sorry. I don't have any Paul Simon. Do you want to hear something else?
Helen: No.
Me: You know, I'm getting a little tired of Paul Simon.
Helen: Why?
Me: Well, I don't know. We listen to him a lot. And as a singer, he doesn't have any. . . any attitude.
Helen: Yes Paul Simon has attitude.
Me: Not really.
Helen: Paul Simon has attitude.
Me: OK. Well, not like other singers. How about we listen to someone else?
The question hung in the air.
I held my breath.
Nothing.
No screaming.
I was amazed. Could it be possible? Could this silence mean acquiescence? Could she actually be interested in listening to someone else? Quickly I turned the stereo on. Earlier that day I'd been listening to a Graham Parker mix tape so the cassette (yeah, I still listen to cassettes) was cued to this song:
Me: Helen. Listen to this guy. He sings with a lot of attitude.
The song played. I drove. She listened.
No screaming.
Wow. Was this it? Was Graham Parker breaking the curse of Paul Simon? I was dying to know. The song finished.
Me: So what did you think of him?
Once again, the question seemed to hang in air. I looked in the rear view mirror. Helen was looking out the window with a thoughtful expression on her face. She appeared to be collecting her thoughts. I looked back to the road. After a few more seconds came her reply.
Helen: You're right, he really has it all.