Jack has ALL the answers.

I took Friday and Monday off to help backstop Ashley while she adjusts to having Jack and Sam home together. Monday afternoon, Jack contracted a bout of "cabin fever" so we headed off to the Club to see if we could burn off some of his energy hitting some range balls (which I never mind, being a self-described "Range Monkey"). We arrived to find the Club totally empty, which was great except for the fact that Jack had no golf balls in his little bag. (We did find some range balls scattered about so we used those and he had a good time smacking them around and playing in the practice bunker.)

After about an hour, he was pretty red and I was drenched in sweat so we retreated to the clubhouse to get some water and rest a bit. We sat down on a bench that looks out over the practice green, the 18th green and the water fountain that sits next to 18 green. He plopped down (okay, he climbed up and scooted to the edge of the bench, but whatever, he's 2 and a half) and we had a nice little chat. It went something like this:

Me: So, are you going to be a good boy for mommy tomorrow.
Jack: (Nods in agreement, pauses) Why?
Me: Because Daddy has to go back to work tomorrow so you and Mom and Sam will be home alone all day.
Jack: Why?
Me: Because someone has to pay for all of this, pal.
Jack: Why?
Me: Because we have to pay for our house and the food we eat and all of your toys.
Jack: (thinks a moment, pauses, looks up at me with certainty in his eye and says,) Daddy, all you need is a box of dollars.
Me: (Chuckles) Oh yeah? That sounds good. Where do I find a box of dollars?
Jack: (Looks around. Points to the fountain) Daddy, there are pennies in the fountain.

Even a seasoned veteran (if I can call myself that after some six years now) of the adversarial system gets a little choked up to see that my progeny is starting to figure out how the world works and put things together.

I'm off to find that box of dollars.

--TJR