Dads Know the Darndest Things

The chili was finished. The tamales were gone. He came into the study (Please, sir...) and asked for something more. We went to the pantry, and his eyes lit up at the sight of a can of cream of mushroom soup.

Later, with a steaming bowl of soup in front of him and little bread crackers floating on top, he sat in silence, a spoon in his right hand and The Count of Monte Cristo in his left.

He didn't take his eyes off the book as he ate. He was on page 82.

So what is it about? I asked.

It's about a sailor, he said. I'll give you the short summary.

Five minutes later, his summary was not yet complete.

How do you know all this? I asked. You're only on page 82!

It's a famous book, Dad.

We were briefly quiet. He might have been looking at me, but I was looking at the placemat in front of me.

I know how you know, I said looking up.

How? he asked.

From Wishbone.

He stared at me with wide eyes.

How did you know?

I smiled.

It's mom's book, he continued. She read it. She could have told me.

She has also read Lonesome Dove, I responded.

Read what? he asked.

That's my point.

Dads know the darndest things.

9:59:46 PM   permalink: []   feedback:   comments: []