Friends

The last time Grandpa Bill and Grandma Suzanne visited they brought some of Dave's old toys for James to play with. The runaway hit has been a yellow Tonka bulldozer, which James christened "Mater" (when he says it, it sounds like "Mayher").

Yesterday James was playing outside while Thomas and I fixed lunch. James charged up to the screen door with Mater in tow. "Mater has lunch with us today, Mama?"
"No, love. Mater lives outside. He has sharp edges that we don't want Thomas to grab."
"Mater so sad about this, Mama. Mater so lonely and wet."
"Wet? But it's not raining outside."
"Mater wet sometimes, Mama."
"I think he'll be okay. We can make him a little house under the picnic table to keep the rain off."
"Mater sleeps in James's room?"
"No, love. Mater sleeps outside."
"Mater my best friend, Mama. James Mater's best friend, too... Oh! Mama! Mater and red bicycle stay together. Not lonely anymore!"