Melanie,  And No Longer The god I Once Was

 
There was a time she loved all the clothes I picked out for her
and I reminded her of that fact,
to which she responded: “I was just a little kid then and didn’t know any better.”

Before we went into American Eagle she instructed me not to speak to the sales staff
and not to follow her around in the store
and Do Not Dance to the music because it’s not funny and doesn’t make anyone laugh.

“When you were younger, you loved to dance with me in the store."
That comment did not get a verbal response:  Just the rolling of the eyes.
Then she added that once inside it might be better for me to stand by the door. 

And we could pretend that we were not together until it was time to pay.
“I don’t understand. “What’s happened, Melanie?”
"I’m just trying to help you, Papa. “It’s how you act and the things you say.” 

I held the door for my once little girl and followed her inside.
Feeling a little rattled and no longer like the god I once was,
I wondered what else I would say or do that would bring on the next bumpy ride.