Why We Drink

6:08 p.m.

Between bites of his grilled cheese sandwich, Riley purses his lips and spits.

Riley: "Bbbbbbbttttthhh!"

Mom: "Riley-"

Riley: "Bbbbbbttttthhhh!"

Mom (moving closer): "Ri-"

Riley: "Bbbbbttthhhh! Hahaha!"

Mom (a foot away): "Riley we don't-"

Riley: "Bbbbbtttthhh!"

Mom: "Don't spit at the tab-"

Riley: "Bbbbtttthhh!"

Mom: "You spit again, dinner's over."

Riley: "Bbbbbtttthhh!"

Mom: "Dinner's over."

Riley: (crying, grabbing) "Saaaam-mwiiiich!"

Mom: (clearing, wiping) "No spitting. Dinner's over."

Riley: "Saaaam-mwiiich! Saaaam-mwiiich! Saaaam-mwiiich!"

6:22 - 6:28 p.m.

Riley: (chewing vitamin) "Saaaam-mwiiich!"

Moving Riley toward the bathroom for a bath.

Riley: "Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich."

Riley back in the kitchen, repeatedly opening the trash to point at the quarter sandwich. Stamping feet.

Holden: "Milk, please!"

Riley: "Saaaaam-mwiiich! Saaaam-mwiiiich!"

6:30 - 6:40 p.m.

Riley's in the bath.

Riley: "Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich."

Kevin: "Riley, I got it. Sandwich. You spit. No more sandwich."

Riley: "Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich."

6:42 p.m.

Out of the bath, drying off.

Riley: "Sam-mwich. Sam-mwich."

Brushes teeth, big tears still sliding down his cheeks, bottom lip out.

Riley: "Sam-mwich."

6:45 p.m.

On the changing table, getting on pajamas.

Riley: "Saaaaam-mwich."


7 p.m.

Books read, songs sang, Riley lying in his crib holding his monkey and Wally bear.

Riley: "Ah-ah-baby.... Sam-mwich."