Classmate

"Justus," Calder mumbled. 

Curious why he would think of this classmate, I asked, "What did Justus do?"

"No," Calder replied, "I don't know."

"Who is Justus?" I asked.

"Justus is absent. Justus is present."

"Who is Justus?" I persevered.

"God." (His favourite answer to the bedtime Bible story questions)

"Justus is God?!" I challenged.

"Yes" (Another favourite answer.)

So I decided to demonstrate:

"Justus is my classmate."

Automatically, Calder repeated after me: "Justus is my classmate."

"Who is Justus?" I asked again.

"Justus is my classmate." 

"Correct! Who is Brenda?" I ventured.

"Brenda is my classmate."

"Hah?!"

"Brenda is my - church."

I pointed at myself.

And he tried again:

"Brenda is - Mommy!"

Correct!