Sales Job

For the second time in four days, young Tremayne appears at our door. Once again, he's flogging fund-raiser chocolate bars for his older brother.

***

I bought a chocolate bar from Tremayne several weeks ago (see Random Samplings). I also bought one from him last Monday.

Young Tremayne is only about five years-old. I try to explain that I'm not in the habit of buying two-dollar chocolate bars with such regularity.

My explanation goes sailing over the boy's head. He gives me a gap-toothed grin and asks again if I would like to buy a chocolate bar:

G.W.: "No, I still have the one I bought from you on Monday. Do you remember that?"

Tremayne: "You didn't eat it yet?"

G.W.: "No."

Tremayne: "How come?"

G.W.: "I just haven't been in the mood for it."

Tremayne: "How come?"

G.W.: "I only like to eat chocolate when I feel like it."

Tremayne: "You don't feel like it?"

G.W.: "No, not right now."

Tremayne: "Oh. . . . . are you gonna throw it away?"

G.W.: "No, I'll just keep it in the fridge for some other time."

Tremayne: "Oh. . . . . what if you don't feel like it?"

G.W.: "Then, maybe I'll give it to somebody else."

Tremayne: "Oh. . . . . I could eat it for you, if you want."

G.W.: "Deal. Let me get it for you."

***

I return to the door and give the chocolate bar to Tremayne. He has a plastic shopping bag containing the chocolate bars he's trying to sell. He stuffs this one quickly into his back pocket.

I say good-bye to Tremayne and start to close the door. Suddenly, he says, "You wanna buy a chocolate bar for later?"

***