Scene: at the restaurant. Going over breakfast, a cup of coffee and some field notes.
The son asks, “Dad why did you change your name?”
Dad: “Well, I didn’t really change it.”
Son: “I know, but what made you want to use the English version instead of the name Gramps gave you? Was he upset with you?”
Dad: “We had words. But I was older and wanting to start the business fresh. He thought I wasn’t honoring our past and where we came from and I was wanting to honor our present, so round and round we went.”
Son: “Well, what did he say, how did you start using your new name?”
Dad: “Stop calling it a new name, it’s my name, just in English. The Old Man huffed and puffed alright, and then he did like he does and got quiet and just looked at me, waiting. We haven’t talked about it since. I think we’re ok. At least I think we are. You know him though. He’s probably waiting for just the right time to… (the cell phone rings)
Dad on the phone: “Hey old man. What? No he’s doing fine. No really, we haven’t been in the ditch all morning. Yep, just like you showed him. Yeah we’re at the little place we like to stop at. What’s that? Â Did he ask me what yet? No, he hasn’t asked me anything odd? Ok, I’ll let ya go, I’ll talk to him in the truck.”
Scene: Hanging up the phone, tossing payment for the bill and a tip onto the table with the check dad takes two short attempts to get out of the booth to be on their way.
Nothing is said as they make their way outside to the truck. Adjusting their coats and hats to be comfortable in the truck. The son nodding to his dad for him to take over and drive.
Scene: Out of town, with the radio playing some way old country songs, the volume turned way down, so it’s quiet background noise. The son bought a coffee to go, so he’d have something to do with his hands, he was getting a bit nervous and the dad was noticing. After making their way out of town and after making the next run when they were getting ready to lay down the second run the dad said,
Dad: “Hey, Gramps was asking if you asked me anything yet, what is he talking about?”
Son: fidgets with his coffee cup, screws up his courage and… takes a sip of coffee, then wipes his mouth on his sleeve and… reaches to the dash and pulls out a cup holder and turning the cup just so, twice…
The dad loudly states, “HEY.” A bit startled the son looks at his dad, feeling a little small and says, “Geez, what?”
Dad: “I asked you a simple question, whats with all the neurotic OCD tactics? You got something to say, say it.”
Son: “Dad I’d like to use a new name too…”
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