The boy in this story never wants to go to his friends'' birthday parties, because Happy the Clown is always there. And Happy is . his dad.
He wishes his dad had a regular job, like all the other kids'' parents. He didn''t mind his dad being a clown when he was a little kid, but now it''s just embarrassing. And even worse, since business is slow, his dad is putting a sign on the front lawn advertising his clown services!
But one night at dinner Dad announces that he''s going back to his old job of being a lawyer. "You were a lawyer?" the boy asks, incredulous.
Now his dad wears a suit and tie to work, the family can buy a new car, his mom can take piano lessons, and he can have a skateboard and cellphone.
But something feels different. The boy wonders if his dad misses being a clown. Or is he the one who misses Happy?
With bittersweet humor, Cary Fagan brings us a story about a boy''s growing consciousness and a father''s realization that he can be himself.
Less
Reflow text when sidebars are open.
