Dada: Chapter 9a

  After we get back to the car, I hand Sam a bottle of water from the back seat and some napkins.
  "I want you to be careful and not get anything on the car.  That includes dirty fingers.  The water should still be cold.  It was in the freezer for an hour or so before we left."
    He reluctantly took the water and napkins.
   "I'll try to be careful," he whines back.
   Sam opened the chips first, but didn't touch them.  He then unwraps the chocolate bar and takes a small bite.  Immediately after, he pops a chip in his mouth.
    "What are you doing to those poor chips?"
    Sam finishes swallowing before his answers.  I always eat these together.  I like the way the taste.  Don't know why. "
    He waits a few seconds before adding.  "Guess that's the way I was taught."
    We don't talk for the next few miles as he finishes his snack and water.
   It must of been his dad, our dad, who showed him how to eat those things together.  Or his mother.  Maybe someone else.  He must of eaten them with one of them all the time.  It just brought up bad memories.  I never got to have any such memories with my mother.  I can't remember a time that I felt good just eating a snack like that with her.  At least nothing special.  Anyway, how can anyone eat those things together?  Salty chips and chocolate?  My throat clenches up at the thought.
    Sure, I like sweet and savory together, sometimes, with an emphasis on the savory.  A little sweetness in a sauce for meat is bliss.  A practically collected sweet-and-sour sauce packets growing up.  Used to put it on chicken, and even burgers, all the time.  I still have a bottle of it in the fridge.  I even mix a little in tartar sauce and put it with fish.  The fish needs to be fried just the right way though, or the balance isn't right.  But salt with sugar, multi-grain chips and chocolate?  NO way.
    "I've got a plastic bag in the back to put the wrappers in."
     I didn't notice that Sam fell asleep again.  The wrappers are on his lap; the water bottle is in the cup holder, half empty.  The napkins are nowhere to be seen.  At least I don't think he got any crumbs on the car seat.
    For the next half hour, I let Sam sleep.  Growing boy and all of that.  Of course, he will be over six feet tall by the time I wake him up.  How is it this kid got the height genes?  From what I say of his dad.  Sorry, out dad., he looked like he was at least six feet himself.  I will never be able to keep with the kid.  Can't think about it now.  Wait until I find out what the situation is in New York.
    As I let Sam sleep, I just listen to satellite radio.  For some reason, I still prefer FM, but with the new territory and all, I can't afford the time searching for something I like.  At least I've got the free trial for another week or so.  Sure, I can afford having it full time, but why?  This is the first time I have driven this far from home, ever.  I barely know where I'm going.  I think I'm almost at the Maryland state line, by the way.  I like my local radio stations just fine.  I know where to find what I like, so why look for something that I might not like.   Why try something new?
   Why not take care of Sam?