Daily story, May 18, 2025

“He doesn’t think ahead,” I said. “He just does what he’s going to do, and then he wonders why he loses.” The other dad made an ambiguous noise and sipped his drink. The boy dropped a counter into the Connect 4 board. “There, you see,” I said, “he’s given it away. There’ll be tears in a minute.” The girl made her line, but the boy picked up another counter anyway. “No, mate, you’ve lost already, see?” I said. They boy looked at me. “What do you mean, ’lost’? We’re making a pattern, Daddy. Can’t you see it?”