Scene from a rest stop

"Stand right there. And don't touch anything." This is the advice I gave young Samson in the men's room at the Clara Barton rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike.

What I forgot to provide, unfortunately, were instructions about not looking at anything. Fortunately, there was only one other person at the line of urinals.

Unfortunately, this man, who was wearing a cowboy hat, did not flush. Or wash his hands.

These omissions did not go unnoticed. And despite the fact that we were definitely inside, there was no inside-voice to accompany Sammy J's observations.

Samson: "Are you going to flush?"

Me: "I don't have to. There's a sensor that does it for you when you walk away."

[Cowboy-hat guy walking behind us toward exit.]

Samson: "That cowboy didn't flush." [watches him exit] "How come that cowboy didn't wash his hands?"

Me: "Don't worry about him. Mommy and Jane are waiting for us in the car; let's go."

Samson: "Don't forget to wash your hands, Daddy."

Me: "Thanks, pal."