David (Matt Shorts, v.6)

We were in New York, and Matt was there to meet Datou. I had already met him, and when I did, the second thought that popped into my mind was “Matt’s going to be really happy when he sees this kid.” He was. Mike handed Datou off to Matt, and Matt baby-talked to him all the way around the house, rocking him back and forth in the way infants like. Except, after a short while, Datou began to wail. Matt then endeavored to get Datou to stop, patting him on the back, lifting him up above his head, resting him on his shoulder. Nothing really worked. Finally, I said, “Matt, you know you can just give him back to Mike, right?” Matt grinned sheepishly and Mike took over. We all laughed, and even Matt knew that we were laughing with him, and in appreciation of the fact that this was our nephew, grandson, and son. Matt was an experienced father, but a rookie uncle.