In the early part of Monday evening, Dad brought home takeout which commonly consisted of boiled shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob, his favorite. For whatever reason, Monday was takeout night in our family. Another reason that I remember those nights is that Dad did not eat with us. Instead, he took his portion to the garage-workshop where he was always repairing something, usually the lawn mower that I would later use to cut grass, or his truck's carburetor which he boasted about perfecting.
After some casual conservation about the events of the day among me, my mom and sister, Mom asked if I would like some coffee to help "wash down" the pizza. She had never asked me that at the evening table, and her question promptly brought back the statement she had made that morning when I finished "performing" in her presence.
"Not tonight, but I would love some coffee in the morning if you have time."
"Of course I'll have time," she responded, not taking her eyes off of me as she and my sister got up from the table at the same time. Mom ended our short conversation with, "There is never a problem making coffee for you, and use as much cream as you wish."
There it was: The word "coffee" would be our confidential word for what was soon to become our morning "affair," such that it was. I did not use cream in my coffee at that age, but if I interpreted the word "cream" correctly, I was confident that I could experience more than coffee. In my mind, I had ideas that the mornings would somehow develop into more than just a show. As any normal young male at this point, I wanted more; however, even at that age perhaps because of my lack of experience, patience became my forte. This was too good to believe and too good to mess up.