Why Isn't Mommy Listening To Me?

Your daddy and I play dead at night. While we lie with you for minutes upon hours waiting for you finally to drift off to sleep, we pretend we're already in la la land. You've never questioned the oddity of the fact that we're somehow able to sleep while you are singing at the top of your lungs or crying or whining or asking endlessly for something. When you ask for water, we give it to you. When you ask to be wrapped up or for a big hug, we oblige. But otherwise we're unavailable.

But last night, you started to figure it out, or at least figured it out enough to be confused. Here's how it went down:
Q: Mama, I want some water.
E: (gave water, but didn't speak)
Q: Mama, I want Samantha.
E: (silence)
Q: Mama, I really need a baby doll, a big baby doll to hold. I need Samantha.
E: (silence)
Q: (many pleas for Samantha followed by some screaming and crying)
E: (silence)
Q: Please, Mama, may I have Samantha, please? I really need her, please.
E: (silence)
Q: Mama are you listening to me? Mama, please listen to me? Mama, I have something to say. I'm going to say it in your ear.
E: (silence)
Q: I DON'T UNDERSTAND! Why isn't my mommy listening to me? Usually my mommy listens to me. But now she isn't. When I ask for water, she gives it to me. But now I'm asking for Samantha, very nicely, and she's not saying anything. I don't understand.

At this point, I had to respond. Your desparation was so sad. We negotiated a compromise wherein I got Samantha if you promised to go straight to sleep. Every night a new negotiation. Why can't you go to sleep easily like other kids??