Ellie, the Greek, and the Fair People

Ellie says the darndest things...

The other morning I took my kids to breakfast before school. Yes. I am an awesome Dad.  And somewhere between shoveling strawberries and syrup laden French Toast in her mouth, Ellie says to me bewildered and amazed:

“Daddy. Does that man.. Wait”. She takes another bite. A giant surprised look paints her face along with powdered sugar mustache that screams a smile

“What? Does what man what, Ellie?”. I stare at her and wonder how I have kids as food is shooting out of her mouth from every corner.

She chews, attempts to speak and then realizes she put too much in her mouth.  She pauses collects herself as if she is thinking of a solution to a problem in her head that cannot be answered. I continue to stare at her in amazement. 

“Do the people who work here at the Diner also work at the Fair?”

She’s clearly talking about the Greek owner who is speaking quite loudly to someone else of the same heritage but not quite sure where she is going. I continue to stare at her, blank faced.  

“Like do the same people here work at the fairs? Ya know the ones who speak in the microphones for the games?” she tries to settle confusion.

I continue to stare and then realize the scary brilliance of my child. 

“Are you asking me if the people who work here also work like at the Boardwalk or the fairs where we play the dart games and try to pop the balloons with water?”  I speak Ellie talk so she understands me. 

Her face brightens. “YES.  Do they also work here?” She makes the most adorable face emphasizing the complete innocence in her concern. 

I laugh.  Her sister laughs. Then again I think her sister is laughing simply cause i am.

I begin to explain to my children why people have accents and we should not judge someone based on their accent and then realize that there is no fun in this as they stared at me confused. 

“Yes, Ellie. That man does also work at the Wildwood Boardwalk.” It just seemed like the easiest and most fun solution to a problem i will now have later in life when she assumes and proudly engages in conversation telling a new foreign student that she must work at the “Fair”. 

She stares in amazement at the man who suddenly became a superhero. 

We left the Diner that morning with 3 satisfied bellies and 2 kids thinking that “fair people” also work at Diners across NJ. 

Great parenting Dad. 

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