We were spending the night in a Cincinnati hotel en route to Washington, DC. Back in those days, our only hotel needs were cold AC and a pool. Of course, we kids wanted to swim in the pool but mom said no. Mom fell asleep and dad was watching the all star game. I’m sure we were bothering him.
I should mention this is the summer my father quit smoking. He was very irritable. Also, my brother got his learner’s permit to drive the car. There was a lot of angst during this two week vacation.
For some reason I got close to my mom and said softly, “Dummy.” Mom replied, “Mm hmm.”
I did it a few more times and she continued this response. I thought it was funny and told my sister. She saw an opportunity. She had me ask, “Dummy, can we go swimming?”
“Mm hmm.”
We were gone in a flash. When mom woke up, she asked where we were. Dad said at the pool. In anger, she grumbled she already said we could NOT go swimming. Dad said she gave the ok. He heard it.
I’m sure he was just happy we were gone.
