This morning we take the tags off my daughter’s new winter jacket for her walk to the bus stop. Shortly thereafter, I look for her in the bathroom to make sure she’s brushing her teeth. She isn’t.
Me: “Emma? Emma!”
My husband: “Well, she’s not outside. She’s probably in her room.”
I walk back to her room but I don’t see her.
Me: “Emma?”
Up pops a coat-wearing Gollum, stuffing her pockets with treasure. She is facing her bookshelf but stops to look over her shoulder at me.
Me: “Are you filling your pockets?”
Gollum: “Yes,” she says with a book light half hanging out of the pocket on her sleeve.
Me: “You’re not bringing that.”
Gollum: “Yes I am.”
Me: “You’re not. You need to empty those pockets or I’ll have to take those things away.”
Gollum: “No!”
Me: “1… 2…”
I take a step forward and her face changes from defiance to fear.
Smeagol: “I’ll do it. I’ll do it.”
I watch as the book light is returned.
A pack of Chap-stick.
A squish toy.
A battery operated tea light.
A bracelet.
A small rubber duck.
Me:
Smeagol: “They’re like kangaroo pockets.”
megdanielle 
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