There is a sense of relief that comes over me each time I settle into my seat on the ferry. It is something like finally getting the chance to pee after you have been holding it in for a long time. There is also a sense of entertainment, especially on the 1pm ferry so I have found of late. There is a man and a boy who catch the 1pm ferry together. The boy is about 5. He walked out onto the upper deck and declared “it smells disgusting out here! Papa, it smells absolutely disgusting!” Quickly, I checked myself. “It’s the diesel fumes,” the father replied. “Diesel fumes,” the 5-year-old scoffed, “disgusting!” A second sense of relief swept over me.
Another time, that same 5-year-old was very upset and so he threatened to bite his father in half if they did not sit inside this instant. I was impressed by the specificity of this threat. (The father must prefer the outer deck). After many tears and eloquent wailing, the boy was able to get a promise of a corn on the cob for being so good. I looked around. Just who does this boy think he is?