That stopped John’s complaining, but it also stopped all conversations for the rest of the trip. That actually turned out to be a good thing, because I was actually able to fall asleep for a while. However, before taking a not so little snooze, Mom handed me one of those insulated cups. You know, the kind people use for sipping their coffee while driving to work.
Let me ask you something. Have you ever started to drink something, thinking it was one thing, only to discover that it wasn’t what you were expecting at all? Looking back, there really was no reason for my brain and tongue to have been expecting chocolate milk, but never-the-less they were. So, when I put the cup to my lips and chugged, I nearly spat the contents all over the back of John’s head. Somehow, I don’t think he would have appreciated that too much.
Despite my natural reflex to spit it out, I managed to swallow it before blurting out, “Oh! What is this?”
Mom had been watching me the whole time and she smiled a jovial, but loving smile. “Oh honey,” she chuckled, “I am sorry, but that was just so very-very funny. You should have seen your face.”
I licked my upper lip and realized that the spill-proof cup was filled with fruit punch. Once I got over the initial shock, I enjoyed the cold punch and I think I fell asleep almost immediately after finishing it.