I went backpacking last weekend with some friends. At dusk, a smattering of bats came out, fluttering above the firelight.

I told my kids about it in the car yesterday, while driving home from dinner.

Son: “Really? There were bats?”

Me: “Yep.”

Son, to my daughter: “See?!? Bats are real!”

Daughter: “I know. Who said they weren’t real?”

Son: “You did.”

Daughter: “You were talking about vampire bats.”

Me: “But those are real, too.

Daughter: “They are?”

Me: “They live in Mexico and suck the blood of cows.”

Son: “Like mosquitoes.”

Me: “Right. But they don’t turn into real vampires.”

Son: “Too bad.”