My Seussical Life for 2004 February 13

I have silly nicknames that I use interchangably for both Atticus and Samuel. These are "Gus" and "Boo." Gus I mostly use as a tack-on. Ex: Atticus-Gus, Samuel-Gus. I've tried to veer away from "Boo," especially in referring to Atticus, because I don't want to distract from the special allusion to Atticus Finch by using Boo (as in Radley) as well. But somehow that name is often stuck on the tip of my tongue.

Anyway, the point of this ramble is that Atticus is more and more confused by these nicknames, and the ways I use them. He is starting to ask me, for instance, when I say something like "bring me your cup, Gus," "Which Gus, Mama?" And then wait for clarification. I don't know why this is so funny to me, but it is.