Snookered

I happen to have a tin of peppermint Altoids in the car. The Wife gave them to me a while ago because she had something else in her purse. They’re handy to have for whatever reason the ol’ breath might be something less than fresh: garlic, soda, Gatorade, chili, whatever. They are indeed “curiously strong.”

After spending the afternoon raking and fertilizing the yard (which is remarkably snow free considering how much snow had been there), I had to take the lass up to her dance class. So, when I got in the car I popped a couple of Altoids in my mouth. I didn’t think anything of it whilst I did it; but, the lass was watching and decided to set herself in motion.

“What are those Dad? Those things you’re putting in your mouth?” She tries to be as specific as possible because if she isn’t, there’s no telling what I’ll interpret “those” to be. Could be a tree on the side of the road or the clouds in the sky. By specifying “putting in your mouth” she’s hemmed me in pretty good.

She’s learning.

“They’re mints” I answered, still oblivious to the trap she was laying for me.

“Why are you having ‘mints’ Dad?” she asked.

“Well, I just wanted to freshen my breath up a bit. After the Gatorade it felt kind of blech” I replied. As I made the statement I kind of shook my head and scrunched my face up. She giggled.

Then she sprang it.

“Dad, my breath is kind of blech. Can I have one of those that you’re having?”

Hook.

Line.

Sinker.

What else could I do? I handed her the tin so she could have her mint.