The Look

I suppose it was bound to happen. Some would say it is divine retribution. A little back story... when I was in Kindergarten, I allegedly called Melanie Vannoy a stupid dummy because she cut in front of me in at the water fountain. At least that is how I remember it. Oh, wait, I said allegedly, right? Anyway... the teacher, whose name I have officially blocked from memory, gave me a swat for my alleged offence - the one and only swat I was to receive in my entire life since we were never really spanked at home.

A few days later Mom got a notice in the mail about my heinous punishment. She was confused because I had not mentioned anything to her. She called the teacher and got the story. After relaying the tale, the teacher commented that she wished she had not given me that swat because I sat in the round circle for the remainder of the day and stared daggers at her. I did not cry. I just put every ounce of my Kindergarten loathing into "The Look." I think this was one of the first instances of "The Look" but it was certainly not the last.

Flash forward 30 some odd years to a kitchen table where that grown-up Kindergartner is having dinner with her husband and precious, beautiful, innocent child. It was only a few days ago and now I don't even remember what I took out of Milo's hand. What I remember well is "The Look" that he gave me to express his displeasure. It was so pronounced and so unexpected that Mark and I both burst out laughing. Mark immediately said, "He got that from you! That is your look!" He was right. It was my look. My question is, "How is it possible that an 18-month old could generate that amount of disdain in his facial expression?" I am fairly sure I have never looked at him like that. Maybe it is genetic. His teachers are so in trouble!