SPOON PLEASE

My husband Steven and our son Alex and I were at one of our favorite summer dinner spots, the boardwalk.

We were walking along the boardwalk, watching the seagulls swoop down looking for any food left unattended, when we stopped for a slice of pizza. Sitting down at a table we watched as the last of the beach visitors were leaving the sand. Once we were done it was time to walk off dinner with a stroll to the end of the boardwalk where the Inlet cut in between the beaches. We found an empty bench and sat down. We love watching the boats try and navigate the rough waters as they leave the Ocean and enter the inlet heading for their boat slips further inland.

We saw a large commercial fishing boat, with a seasoned crew on board, that may have been out for several days making its way back to the inlet along with daily charter boats filled with clients that were out for a six hour adventure.

The tide was changing and the water was especially unpredictable. “You’ll never see me out on a boat in that kind of water.” I said as we watched a wave swamp the back of a boat.

Alex laughed. “You don’t like being on a boat in the middle of a lake with no waves, either”

I nodded in agreement. “That’s true.” I shrugged my shoulders. “What can I say? I’m not a fan of dark water.”

“Well, you know what I’m a fan of?” Steven said.

I looked over at him. “What?”

“Ice cream!” He laughed as he got up from the bench.

“That sounds like a good idea.” I agreed.

Strolling back the way we came we stopped at an old fashioned ice cream shop. “I’ll grab a seat while you guys get your ice cream.”

“Don’t you want anything?” Steven asked.

I shook my head. “No thanks. I’m still full from the pizza.”

Once I was seated I couldn’t help but admire the little ice cream/candy store. It had been on the boardwalk for close to 100 years, weathering hurricanes and nor’easters and yet was still standing.

Steven and Alex came over to the table.

“Dad got you mint chocolate chip.” Alex said as he handed me a napkin.

I looked over at Steven as he placed the cup of ice cream in front of me. “But I said I didn’t want any.”

“You know you didn’t mean it.” He laughed as he handed me a plastic spoon. “You almost had to eat it with your fingers though.”

“What?” I was confused as I took the spoon and dipped it into my ice cream.

“The new law went into affect.” Steven looked over at Alex. “What’s it called again?”

“’Skip the stuff ‘ law. You don’t automatically get plastic silverware anymore. You have to ask for it.”

“Well…” I sighed as I ate a spoonful of ice cream. “I guess we could always go back to what this store did a hundred years ago and use the little wooden spoons again.”

“Or just get a cone.” Alex added.

“Maybe we could just do what my Dad used to do.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the memory.

“What?” Alex asked.

“My Dad always had a metal spoon in his shirt pocket!”

Steven was laughing, too. “I remember that!” He looked over at Alex. “When I asked him why he carried one he said, ‘You never know when someone’s going to offer you a bite of their food.’”

“Are you serious?” Alex laughed.

I nodded. “Totally! We used to laugh about it!” I looked over at Steven and shook my head. “Now, I’m beginning to think he was just ahead of his time.”