Grumpy

The other night my family was returning home from a friend’s birthday party. It was late, so I was able to keep the high beams on almost the entire way home. As we got closer to home and the pavement changed to gravel my son began talking about a friend of his. He said, “You know what, I think my friend is changing.”

I was intrigued, so I asked him why he thought so. He gave me a very detailed and thoughtful response. I was impressed. His thoughtful analysis piqued my interest so I asked him, “What is your perception of me?”

He paused and then said, “Well, I guess I would say that you are a grumpy guy that tries to be funny.”

My wife laughed. I looked from the road to her, and she shrugged her shoulders, but she couldn’t hide her grin. I said to my son, “What do you mean? Do you really think that I’m not funny?”

He said, “No, dad, you are very funny, just not when you try to be. I mean your jokes aren’t very good, but when you are just talking you can say some pretty funny things.”
My wife whispered, “Your son knows you better than I thought.”
I grinned at her.

I pulled in front of our gate and as he was getting out of the car to open it I said, “Son, I hope you never say anything like that about me again.” He just stared at me. After a pause I said, “I was just kidding.”

He said, “See what I mean?” and then he opened the gate.