Ch. 167; Vol. 10

“Puck,” I called him over before we walked out the door. “Do you know what today is?”

“What?”

“It’s a special day where all dads are celebrated.”

Puck’s eyes showed recognition…

“Happy birthday,” he mumbled – embarrassed – to The Bear.

Well, sort of.

Walking out Sunday morning – the change has begun – rainforest, heavy warm muggy air, dripping green birdsong.

“Barefoot” isn’t exactly the best name for a restaurant, but since most of us liked the idea of a drive, and the place was big enough across a couple of rivers to house our ten-tribe, we drove out there. Green farmland sandwiched between wooded bluffs.

Smoke stack…

“There’s a cloud factory, Puck.”

“Sun, when is the cloud factory open? On sunny days?”

“Whenever the government decides.”

“Are we still in Illinois?” someone asked half an hour later.

“Yup. I can still feel the taxes.”

That was Joe. His Illinois-animosity ranges higher on the richter scale than most. He was also busy schooling Dad on “highway hierarchy”.

“I think we took a wrong turn.”

“I’m about 40% sure we’re headed the right direction.”

“So you’re 60% sure you’re wrong?”

“Well, I’m 45% sure that all statistics are made up on the spot.”

“And I’m 76% sure that we’re going the wrong direction.”

Of course, Puck had to throw out two cents…

“I’m ABOUT ONE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE… EIGHT!… that we will make a wrong turn!”

“Wow, Puck. You should work for CNN.”

Frog legs, catfish, burgers, grilled cheese, root beers, whatever later, in this sort of alterated warehouse overlooking the flood – must and mildew – not inside, or anything, we departed Hardin.

“Thanks for dinner, Dad!”

“What do you want for Father’s Day, Dad?’

We know…

“Well behaved children.”

“Can’t do that.”

“Well that makes it easy; you won’t get anything!”

That was Rose talking of course.

About the time Carrie pulled out “Rock, Paper, Scissors” for the drive back – she was sitting next to Puck – which he thought was “Rock, Paper, Salad” or something like that, The Bear had already made plans to meet Theodore and Izzy at the movies.

[Photos: The Bear]