almost pitiful

Sad faced, head hung low, Dennis said "no one wants to tuck me in." He walked away sadly, bound for his bed. I followed him, of course, after waiting the usual 5 seconds to see if David was going to get up and do it. David, as usual, waited for me to make the first move and then got up also and said "I was going in there." We do this same dance very often. It isn't that I didn't want to tuck him in. I love to tuck him in. I did it this afternoon, twice, when it was time for his nap. I got him out of bed this morning. I read him bedtime stories tonight in my bed. I have been with him all day long. Again, I love to tuck him in. But I worked hard all day today, and I'm tired, and I didn't jump up as quickly as I should have, didn't rush to seize the opportunity to tuck him in as I should have. I know these days pass quickly. I will never regret tucking him in, only not doing so. And, I only waited a few seconds before I went in to tuck him in, enjoying the reward of his sweet hug and kiss. He said "you were only kidding when you weren't going to tuck me in, right?". I said "I'm tucking you in, aren't I?". He said "aren't is not a word--you're supposed to say 'an't I' (and no, he did not say 'ain't', which I HATE)". I said "no, it's 'aren't', I promise." He asked "Aren't I cute?". I told him he was, and that was the correct way to ask. He was proud.