m？
But it was too late。 My dad was convinced I was a coward； and to get me over it； he decided
that what I should do was take the carton of eggs
back to the Bakers and tell them we didn't eat eggs； or that we were allergic to them； or
something。
Then my mom butts in with； “What are you teaching him here； Rick？ None of that is true。 If
he returns them； shouldn't he tell them the truth？”
“What； that you're afraid of salmonella poisoning？”
“Me？ Aren't you a little concerned； too？”
“Patsy； that's not the point。 The point is； I will not have a coward for a son！”
“But teaching him to lie？”
“Fine。 Then just throw them away。 But from now on I expect you to look that little tiger square
in the eye； you hear me？”
“Yes； sir。”
“Okay； then。”
I was off the hook for all of about eight days。 Then there she was again； at seven in the
morning； bouncing up and down on our porch with eggs in
her hands。 “Hi； Bryce！ Here you go。”
I tried to look her square in the eye and tell her； No thanks； but she was so darned happy；
and I wasn't really awake enough to tackle the tiger。
She wound up pushing another carton into my hands； and I wound up ditching them in the
kitchen trash before my father sat down to breakfast。
This went on for two years。 Two years！ And it got to a point where it was just part of my
morning routine。 I'd be on the lookout f