A Classic Case of Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I love rocks. I have them in my garden, on my windowsills, sometimes in my pockets.

My daughter, Amy, shares this passion. She recently acquired a stunning, heart-shaped specimen that she proudly displays on the window sill over her sink. I have coveted that rock from the moment I laid eyes on it but realize it would be bad form, not to mention futile, to demand that she give it to me.

Imagine my surprise when I went to her house yesterday and saw a smaller heart-shaped rock nestled against the large one.

"We got it for you," Amy said handing it to me.
"Yep," said Mina, my three-year old granddaughter.

I was delighted with the gift and set the rock on a bench near my jacket. We had lunch, shot the breeze and had a lovely day. When it came time for me to leave, I couldn't find the rock.

"Mina?" Amy asked in a stern voice.

Mina trudged into her bedroom and emerged with one arm behind her back.

Mina: "This is my special, special rock. It looks so nice with the other one."
Amy: "Give it to Grammie. We got it for her."
Mina reluctantly handed it over.
"Thanks," I said.
Mina: "I want to keep it."
Me: "But it's mine."
Mina: "No it's not."
Me: "Yes it is."
"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" Mina raced into the kitchen, "It looks SO-NICE-HERE!"

I looked at Amy. She shook her head. Was I really fighting with a three-year old over a rock? Yes.

I stored the rock in my pocket, made up with the still-sobbing Mina, and went home feeling like a louse. I got a phone call first thing this morning.

Mina: "That really is my special, special rock."
Me: "I know. And I know you want to keep it but you and your mom got it for me."
Mina: "But it looks so nice here."
Me: "It looks nice here, too."
Mina: "Maybe we can share it."
Me: "Hey, that's a great idea."
Mina: "And when I come over, I can take it home."
Me: "No you can't."
Mina: "But we're sharing."
Me: "We'll share it here."
Mina: "That's not sharing."
Me: "Yes it is. Just like we share Frannie [my dog]."
Mina: "Here's my mom."

She is not getting that rock. Now I must go check my birth certificate. Is it possible I was born in 2004?