The first time I made the threat, I didn't think anything of Alexis' lack of a reaction. The same thing happened the second time. But the third time? Oh, the third time I uttered the words, "You better be careful. Santa's watching, you know," and Alexis just sort of looked through me and kept on being a jerk?
Oh, I knew.
She knows.
I don't know exactly how she has it all figured out, but I'm not at all surprised. I actually thought the gig was up two years ago, so the fact that we've managed to squeeze another couple of years of magic out of the whole conspiracy is pretty fantastic.
For the past month or so, the kid hasn't really reacted one way or the other when mentions of Santa have floated through the air. I'm guessing she's smart enough to know that it's best to just shut up and not admit to anything. She has to realize that admitting that she knows will have negative consequences. She's apparently not willing to gamble and risk losing out on some loot.
She's not willing to risk anything to the point that she's gotten herself worked up into a tizzy. The thing is that I'm not planning on bringing the whole thing up, so if she doesn't come clean or just flat-out ask, I'm going to keep on playing the Santa game. My lack of reaction to her lack of reaction seems to have gotten under her skin because now? Now she's worried.
Panic has set in with the kid. She knows, but she has decided that maybe, just maybe, she's wrong. That means that every minute of every day has to be spent covering her butt. Just in case.
If anybody needs dishes put away, laundry folded, or furniture dusted, just let me know. Project Do Whatever Mom Asks is under way, so we might as well enjoy it while we can.
