When Patriarch Duty Calls
DAD always answers
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Our extended family had gathered at Kara’s for swimming and a barbecue. Note we said “a barbecue” because we were raised out west. You southern born and raised may identify this as “grilling out.” We’re electing not to go there for this post.
The women had assumed their normal positions in the “swan space” that was designed for them at Bethany’s request when she was into the works of Truman Capote. The space has four lounging chairs that are situated facing the pool and deck, so as to enjoy the scenery of the Non-Swans splashing about.
The air was light and the mood playful until suddenly, without warning, our nephew yelped out in a fit of pain.
“What happened?!” we inquired as one.
“A wasp!! A wasp stung me!”
Sure as the sun rises, his hand revealed an erythematous marking indicative of an insect attack. We patted his sweet head, busted out the itch-stick, and applied liberally. He happily trotted off to continue aquatic activities including mimicking a kangaroo as he launched into the pool.
Bethany noticed her father across the way sitting in the tall boy chairs facing the delicate Swans. She decided to venture off the sanctuary of delicate birds to have a chat with him. The moment she sat down, she felt an attack in her web space.
“They got me! They got me too!”
The group then realized there was a wasp nest hidden in the whereabouts of the tall boy pool chairs.
As Bethany returned to the safe space of the Swans to lick her wound, the song “When you say nothing at all” performed by Alison Krauss began wafting through the air.
Just then, our DAD decided he had had enough of those wasps stinging his offspring and their offspring. Determined to put an end to it, he inspected the scene and then asked about wasp spray. Kara’s daughter led him to the general area of the garage where it might be located, and true to DAD form, he dug it out in no time. Dads have a sixth sense for these things.
He then assumed his mission.
With Ms. Krauss’s lyrics in full swing, he began a sort of “wasp dance” that involved keeping his body away from the chair where they were congregated while extending his spray arm as far as possible.
“The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall…”
Perhaps realizing we Swans were watching the scene, DAD started doing what he does best: performing. The moves became dramatized and the facial expressions animated. He sprayed and sprayed, all the while with tunes playing in the background.
“Try as they may, they can never define
What's being said between your heart and mine…”
Eventually, he proclaimed, “I got ‘em, man!”
And that was it. In a two minute impromptu performance, DAD had entertained us while ensuring we were all safe and sound. We returned to our activities with a sense of calm, reflecting on the wonder of fatherhood, grateful for the man who is our DAD.
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Hilarious and touching at the same time 😍
Great funny story. I grew up in the country when I was young. I use to get stung about every day. It hurt, lols. My Dad would chew tobacco and then take a pinch of it and placed it where the wasp stung me, and it would draw the stinger out someway.