Did I Hear You Correctly?

It's ten o'clock at night, and I'm shuffling around picking up the last odds and ends before bed.

"In three years, I mate," says Sam, age five.

Seda thinks to herself that she should be concerned by this statement, but is too tired to remember why.

"You mate?" I ask. I am trying not to make assumptions. Perplexed.

"I mate!" he says emphatically. I shake my head.

"What do you mean when you say 'mate?'" I ask. I would like him to lead this discussion.

"No!" he says. "In three years, I'M EIGHT!"

Oh.