nugget

I do not have enough time to write about what happened . . . but could not resist jotting down this little nugget:

Day 12 of our amazing journey, and the Professor and the Jester have their very first little squabble - it goes something like this:

Prof: Dude, we're stopping, so you should go use the bathroom.

Jest: You're not my dad - you can't tell me what to do. (first time he has even thought to say this)

Prof: You're right, I am not your dad, but you are still going to have to go use the bathroom.

Jest: No, I don't think so - my mom would not make me.

Prof: OK - then we'll ask her when she gets here.

Jest: Fine, I'll go.

We had a little discussion about different adults that their parents sometimes entrust them with - and that the professor is one of those adults - like an uncle or a babysitter or a teacher. Sometimes there are people in life who do have some authority over us - even if they are not our parents.

The conversation ends like this:

Prof: Look, I am not trying to be your dad. You have a great dad, and I could never be as cool as he is. But hopefully, I can be like a bonus - like you can have your dad, and your uncles, and your rick.

Jest: Yeah - I mean I love you and stuff, but maybe you should try to be more like our dad.

Prof: What do you mean?

Jest: You know, like buy us stuff whenever you see us, and let us watch movies and eat candy all day.


NICE>