Always in the doghouse

The other day I saw Elmo for the first time in a few weeks. She was playing in a field with a bunch of other kids, and when they saw me many of them ran over to say hello. Elmo hung back. She doesn’t like saying hello when there are other children around. She doesn’t like to share attention. Sometimes she’ll come over with a group of kids and sit and pout because I’m talking to someone else. It’s my fault for playing favorites. I spoil her too much. Sometimes LT. will look at me and say, “Joey, your girlfriend’s pissed. You better go apologize,” and I’ll look over to see Elmo standing off with her harms crossed staring over at us. The same day I was playing with the kids the Red Alarm went off inside the camp because there was a mortar attack. I yelled over to Elmo that it was dangerous here and that she had to go home. She just stood there glaring, angry because I had shooed her off. I swear, whether they’re 23 years old or 7, I have girls mad at me wherever I go.