Elementary Family Dinner Conversation

“One person I never understood was myself,” a retired sporting headliner stated in an interview to a local reporter.

Taking the earphones off the heroic athlete around town stood up and leaving his easy chair power seat, enjoyed getting winning respect from the hometown journalism community.

His wife, a noted food chef patiently guarded the dining table where their child quietly occupied her space waiting to be served. “Who was that daddy?” The grade school student inquired like it was a press conference after the big game.

“Only someone calling me about my past,” the well-known now family man answered noticing his lifelong partner, unleashing an innocent grin.

“And?” She added a follow up question.

“Well, Hunter,” he stayed daughter focused, “this week is an anniversary, of a special accomplishment, Daddy had on the playing field.”

“Why do I feel like this will come back to me as my fault?” Hunter expressed picking up a fork.

“That is not what I meant,” He started to clarify, “your mother came to our University game, and I performed my best.”

“Yes, Hunter without me, Daddy would be one and done as they say today,”

Hearing the commentary all three laughed, “why didn’t you know Mommy before?” Hunter decided to stir the pot.

“Actually, I did,” He explained, “But Mommy was too busy with her horses.”

“And that day I just wanted to get away from the barn,” the wife chimed in realizing her passions were about ready to change.

“Were you mad at your horse?” Hunter started investigating.

“You can say that”

“Mommy’s arm was in a sling,” Daddy explained, “she said it was his fault.”

“It wasn’t, it was mine,” the Mother confessed.

“What did you do after the big game?”

“Went to the campus social place, celebrated the win, we got talking and,”

“Fell in love,” Mommy finished the sentence, “how do you like your food?”

“It’s okay Mommy, but it tastes like it was cooked for the masses,”

Giving her a quizzical look the Mother repeated her statement in a question, “what do you mean masses?”

“It taste like you did this all for catering money,” Hunter paused, “not,

“Not what?”

“Just for me,”

“Just for you?” Her Mother asked, “what should we do with the left overs? You can not eat all this?”

“Save it for after the big game tomorrow?”

“Big game?” The Mother persisted.

“The one Tony is in, over at the elementary field, I asked him to dinner tomorrow.”

“Is he good at this recreational athletic competition?”

“Well, Daddy, I hate to tell you, but he is ready to beat your juvenile record,”

“I have held that a long time, before you were born, Hunter,” Daddy acted surprised.

“That is why I invited him over, so we can,” Hunter swallowed, “celebrate.”

Early the next morning the successful father figure went out picked up the paper and the sports section fell out, “Tony Duke Is Ready To Break Kindergarten To 6th Grade Recess Record”.

“Honey?” He called out, “what are you doing today?”

“Nothing she came out to the porch, we are having left overs,” she mentioned.

“Let’s go over to Hunter’s school and see if her friend Tony Duke passes my mark.

Sitting on the grass with her school book open Hunter suddenly was distracted seeing her parents. When they all hugged, Tony Duke completed the unbelievable feat, and the supportive trio clapped their hands.

“Where do you think this will end,” the Mother asked.

“It’s left overs, Mommy, do not make a big thing about it.”

“You think so,”

“Yeah, Beau my pony, is still my true love,”

Smiling Hunter’s Mother observed her husband monitor the field action very interested in the final result to the physical education championship.