Counting to C

I wrote this in my creative writing class today to show students different dialogue techniques.  I put myself into the story, but it was actually Julie.

            We realized the other day that even though Rowan can recite the alphabet, he has no idea how to identify specific letters on the page.  Luckily, Lyla decided to teach him.

            "Okay, buddy, what letter is this?" she said, pointing to an A.

            "I don't know."

            "It's an A."

            "Yeah."

            The lesson continued in this fashion for quite some time.  Then I suggested to Lyla to review some of those earlier letters.  She pointed to the A again.

            "What letter is this?"

            Big smile on Rowan's face, and then: "B!"  He reached out his hand to Lyla, expecting a high-five.

            "Daddy, he's not doing it right."  Lyla's lip began to quiver in the telltale pre-breakdown way.

            "Keep at it, kiddo," I said.  "Practice makes perfect."

            Several minutes later, Rowan got one right.  Lyla was ecstatic.

            "He got C, Daddy!  He got C!"

            Rowan beamed with pride.  "Daddy!  Daddy!  I counted to C!"