TODDLER TREATS

I was walking up to the front door, keys ready in my hand, when my son Alex opened the door for me.

“How was your brunch?” he asked as I stepped past him and dropped my purse on the chair. “It was nice. Mary and Liz said to say hi and that they were sorry you couldn’t make it.” I took off my jacket and hung it in the closet. “How’s your back?”

Alex twisted from side to side. “Getting a little better I think. I’ve been doing some stretches.”

“That’s good.” I turned around and started to laugh. “I got food shamed at the restaurant.”

“What?” Alex looked confused. “Food shamed?”

I nodded my head. “When the waitress was taking our order I said I wanted two eggs over easy, bacon and hash browns.”

“That sounds good.”

“I know!” I had to laugh again. “She asked me if I knew what their hash browns were like.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I was a little confused, thinking they served some kind of strange hash brown.”

“So what kind do they serve?”

“She said they were like McDonald’s hash browns.” Grabbing a glass from the cabinet I went over to the refrigerator to get some water. “I’m thinking that’s perfect, a nice golden hash brown with my over easy egg right on top of it!”

“So what’s wrong with that?” Alex was leaning against the counter top.

“She said she wanted me to be sure I knew what they were because no one over 12 year old ever ordered them.” I looked over at Alex before taking a sip from my glass.

Alex grimaced. “Ouch.”

“Exactly!” I put the glass on the countertop and leaned against the countertop. “How was I supposed to order it after she said that?” I started to laugh again. “I had to order the clearly grown-up home fries instead!”

“Well, homes fries are good too.”

“Not as good as hash browns.” I sighed. “When did hash browns become a toddler treat?”

Alex shook his head. “She didn’t say toddler. She said no one under 12.” Alex leaned over and patted me on the shoulder. “I know what will make you feel better.”

“What?”

“Why don’t you stop and get yourself a McDonald’s Happy Meal for your lunch tomorrow?”

I started to laugh. “Actually, that’s a great idea!” I pulled out my phone. “I wonder what toy they have this week?”

“Whatever it is I’m sure one of your kids in school is going to be very happy.”

“It’s Mario Kart!” I held up my phone to show him. “That’s a good one! Now I just have to figure out which teacher’s prize box it’s going to go it.”

“See, you’re all grown up again!”