Nothing Could Be Finer

My middle boy's with me this week as I complete my business trip, driving hundreds of miles over the next few days. School's out for spring break and I asked him to come along. I like his company, he's funnier than hell, and he could stand a few days away from his brothers. Middle child's a hard spot; you get it from both ends and we parents don't always make the time we should to understand.

He wasn't sure if he wanted to come. At first, it seemed like a punishment.

"Why do I have to go? Why not my brothers?"

"Because you get the short end of the stick a lot of the time. I want to spoil you for a change."

"What am I going to do while you're working?"

"Hang out in the hotel room. Read. Play video games. Eat junk food. At night we'll watch basketball, baseball, go have pizza, hang out. It'll be fun."

"Okay. Maybe. But why me?"

"You're a good kid. We'll have a blast."

Because I love you son, and you're my greatest joy.