CHEESE PLEASE

My son Alex and I had just returned from a trip to a local farmer’s market where we’d loaded up on all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. As I was unloading the bags I grabbed the block of cheese we’d also picked up.

“We have to try this right now.” I said as I moved the bags aside and opened the silverware drawer to get a knife.

“You don’t want to finish putting everything away first?” He placed the tomatoes on the butcher block next to the plate with several avocados on it.

“Nope.” I ripped off a section of paper towel and placed it on the counter. “I’ve been thinking about what this was going to taste like the whole way home!” I looked at the package. “Bacon and jalapeño in a white Australian cheddar cheese!” I pointed to the crocodile on the package. “I like the message on the back that says ‘careful it bites’!”

“I wonder if Australian cheese will taste different then ours?” Alex went to get the crackers out of the cabinet.

“We’ll find out in a minute.” I cut open the package and held it up to my nose. “You can sure smell the bacon!” I passed over over for Alex to take a sniff.

He nodded his head. “Sure can.”

I placed it on the paper towel and began to cut a few small pieces, while Alex put some crackers next to them. Scooping up a cracker and placing the cheese on it I held it up.

“Okay, here goes…” I took a bite and waited for the heat to hit me.

Alex did the same.

While we were chewing Alex picked up the package and began reading the ingredients. “It’s got red and green jalapeños along with crushed red peppers.”

I nodded as I swallowed my bite and looked over at Alex. “I’ve got to say I was expecting it to be hotter.”

Alex nodded. “I thought so too, but it’s still really good.”

“Oh absolutely!” I began putting the rest of the groceries away. “You know what would be fun?”

Alex was getting a plastic bag out of the drawer to put the cheese away. “What?”

“What if every time we went to the farmer’s market we picked out a new cheese to try?”

Alex laughed as he opened the refrigerator to was put the new cheese away. He then began pulling out bags of shredded cheese and blocks of cheddar and Swiss, along with the packages of deli cheese I’d purchased a few days before, piling them all on the counter. “Are you sure we need more cheese?”

“Hey!” I went over to the cheese pile he’d created and began explaining. “I’m making chicken parmesan tomorrow.” I said as I tossed the bag of shredded mozzarella back in the bin. “And this is for tacos tonight!” I tossed the bags of shredded Mexican mix next to it. “These are for sandwiches all week!” I tossed the Swiss and provolone back in. “And these…” I held the blocks of cheddar and Havarti with dill then shrugged my shoulders. “Okay fine.” I tossed them back in the refrigerator. “I might possibly have a cheese problem.”

“I’ll say.” Alex patted me on the shoulder as he walked by. “You might want to see if they have a 12 step program for that.”

“Not funny!” I called as I watched him walk down the hall to his room and waited until he closed his door. That’s when I tip-toed back to the refrigerator and quietly opened the door. Pulling out the newest block of cheese, I placed it on the counter and slowly opened the silverware drawer, looking over my shoulder to see if anyone heard me. “I do not have a problem.” I whispered under my breath as I cut another slice from the block.