Arnon Grunberg

Phase

Blanket

“He likes to go under a blanket with her,” my godson’s mother said.

“Yes,” I answered.

“And then they undress each other,” she said.

“Well," I said. "Is that all?"

“But this morning he told me that he prefers to keep his clothes on. Perhaps you can talk to him. Perhaps it’s time for sex education.”

I wiped my nose.
“But he is four," I said.

“Well things start early these days.”

“What do you want me to tell him? That he should wear a condom? There are no condoms for toddlers.”

“They undress each other.”

“That’s what I did when I was four. I loved to undress girls. It was a phase.”

“Are you sure? It’s a phase?”

“It’s a phase. After a while this phase comes back. It's nothing to worry about.”