Sometimes I am Selfish

I have four kids who constantly need.  School, sports, whatever it is, they need.  My wife and I, give what we can.  Most of the need, is time.  Going over homework, sports, and other extracurricular activities.  That's fine, it's all free.  Then, there's also the money grab.  As any parent knows, they'll nickel and dime you to death.  The money tree in our backyard, picked up Dutch Elm disease, long ago.  The banker, shows up daily, creatively trimming, and trying to put that red stripe across it........

I must admit that it is also fun being a parent.  The highs are high(please and thank you), and the lows are low(3AM 102 degree temp).......or this one......On a certain day, I was going to play the SELFISH card.  I was done with....."Daddy, I want Davanni's.......I want....Chipotle........I want Noodles"......(it was the weekend..our kitchen was closed)....I wanted, what I wanted......a big burger.  A sirloin burger, in fact.  Cooked on the grill, by me!  I chuckled when I realized the those suckers inside would have to eat exactly what they ordered!....HA HA HA .........I grabbed the handle of the grill, flipped it up......this was going to be the best!......mmmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmmm.  The only thing missing, was the sun, seventy-five degrees, and a cold beer.  The propane tank felt somewhat light.......uh oh.....NOOOOOOO!!!!  This is all that I wanted!.......a hamburger.....well, the tank was empty.  Not to worry, there are two other tanks ready to go.  I know that, because I knew that this day would come.  No need for panic.  I never get caught without propane for the grill.  It is SO easy to avoid.  I grabbed the other tank.  It felt somewhat light.....EMPTY......oh yea, that's the extra one.....I need to check out the DOUBLE SECRET PROPANE TANK....THE RESERVE........Just where I placed it last time......"Hello old friend, I need you...I am selfish tonight.....come on out.  This is why I have you here".....I grabbed the tank, and she felt light.  This is not good, I thought......actually, truth be told, that is not what I thought.....I am not allowed to print what I thought.  This burger has my name on it, and it is going to happen.......

When even your kids turn on you

I looked through the window, before I closed and covered the grill.  I could see the family inside, probably laughing at the funny video show, or something hilarious on TV.  They were really yucking it up.  I glanced through the window to see wht they were watching.  Craning my neck, I could see nothing on TV.  It was off.  When they saw me looking in, they stopped laughing, and their faces went blank.  They were laughing at me.  It seemed colder and more grey outside.  I went inside, and heard the jokes.  "It's a little rare, even for you."  I ignored the kids, the wife, who was not about to open her mouth.  She already had her victory.  Her raised eyebrows said it all......it doesn't pay to be selfish with a family.

The Burger

The burger cooked on the stove, in a pan, did not taste as good.  I don't like to eat while people are watching me.  They didn't stare long, just there for some light mocking.  I knew how to get them away from me, in order to eat in peace.  Start talking about the cleanup.  They scattered like roaches.  They could see the carnage on the stove, waiting to be cleaned up.  I guess sometimes it DOES pay to be selfish.......

CHECK THAT TANK........AND THE BACKUP!