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I was ironing shirts one night when my father dropped by to remind me that times have changed. “When I was your age,” he said, peeling off his grey fedora and easing himself into a soft chair, “I enjoyed being a man. Oh sure, life wasn’t beachfront property then either. There were pyramids to build, dinosaurs to avoid, and fire to invent. But at least we had clearly defined roles. Not anymore. Not you guys. No siree.” He sniffed the air. “Speaking of rolls, are those cherry tarts done yet?” “Not quite,” I said, holding a shirt up to the light with a critical gaze. “They need another 10 minutes. I always put the cherry ones on 350, you know. The crust is flakier that way.” “Flakier, alright,” he said softly, hauling both feet onto a stool. “You know, I wouldn’t trade places with today’s guy for a doctorate in Home Economics. No way. I get tired just watching you.” I creased another collar, listened to his laugh, and wondered if he had a point. It was the first thinking I’d done in awhile, what with attending church planning sessions, babysitting during Ladies’ Night Out, driving kids to sporting events, hollering at insurance salesmen, and...oh yes, holding down a full-time job.
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