(at tuck-ins)

Me: “OK, son, it’s time for lights…”

Danger Monkey, age 10: (lying still, eyes closed)

Me: “Oh, I see he is already asleep.”

DM: …

Me: “He’s definitely not faking sleep. He’s definitely really, really asleep.”

DM: …

Me: …

DM: …

Me: …

DM: (cracks smile)

Me: “Very few people smile in their sleep, you know.”

DM: (eyes pop open) “Dang it. I always fall for that.”

Me: “Fall for what? I was just staring at you.”

DM: “Yeah, but I KNEW you were staring at me.”

Me: “You’re not a very good faker, and that’s OK.”

DM: “I know.”

Me: “Besides, your little sister does enough faking for the entire family.”

DM: “She really does.”