standing in line at the post office

"look, she has hair like yours!"
he said, to his son
pointing at our red hair
(his more natural than mine)
i only smiled in response

i really didn't mind
even if i would usually be annoyed
as he had held the door
and let me stand in front of him
the slow moving line at the post office

and i had already watched
as his son gave him a hug
clutching his side
thinking for a moment how i missed my dad

and they seemed so giggly
so chatty
how could i mind

"you'll be with me tonight"
he said, holding his son tight
"and your mother tomorrow"

suddenly wondering
about the nature of overcompensation