There You Are, Little Parker

Research indicates that a child’s unique personality blossoms between the ages of three and five. Mine showed up promptly at three, at Falls Fish House.

Mama loved stories. And I loved hearing them, even as a baby. Every night, we snuggled into the white wicker rocking chair next to my crib and she read to me. After a few books, I’d get drowsy and she’d rock and sing me to sleep.

But on this night, it was not yet story time but dinner time. My parents met another couple at the neighborhood Fish House, with me in tow. A happy three-year old toddler, I was content in my high chair, nibbling Cheerios while the adults visited. Until without a peep of warning, I began singing. LOUDLY.

ROCK-A-BYE YOUR BABYYYYY, WITH A DIXIE MELODYYYYYY

WHEN YOU CROON, CROON A TUNE, FROM THE HEART OF DIXIE…

Mama’s mouth about hit the floor. After three years of seeming to sleep through her lullabies, evidentially, I’d decided it was time for my debut.

WEEP NO MORE MY LADYYYYY, SING THAT SONG AGAIN FOR ME…

The restaurant was now quiet. People were staring. “Has she done this before?” Daddy asked in confused disbelief. “She’s never sung…a note…of anything,” Mama managed to squeak out through fits of laughter. I clearly had no plans of stopping.

A MILLION BABY KISSES I’LL DELIVER, IF YOU WILL ONLY PLAY THAT SWANNEE RIIIIIVER

Daddy was beaming now as I gleefully belted verses from my high chair. “She knows the whole damn song!”, he clucked. Mama was near tears from laughing so hard. Unfazed, I proceeded to bring it on home like a tiny Judy Garland. There was a round of applause but I didn’t pay much attention. I was already back to my delicious Cheerios.

I’d officially hatched. The party had begun and my poor, poor parents were in for it now.