Friday, August 6, 2010

Sugar and Spice: Dominick



When it comes to our club's snacking habits, I try to make sure the only sugar they get is fruit-based, but occasionally the refined stuff shows up.

During meetings, our snacks are handed out at the end, which relieves me of sugar-rush behavior. Of course, when we have parties, I enjoy the full effect and have Advil waiting for me on the other end.

Most people have some kind of reaction to pure sugar. Personally, I get sleepy and fat. Others get peppy. And still others can have an almost allergic reaction, swinging them into moods no one wants to experience.

I was informed at the last possible moment that Dominick was of the latter group.

"I'm sorry but I forgot to tell you that he must never, never have sugar."

I received this urgent whispered message from the classroom assistant assigned to help Dominick day-to-day.

"Seriously?"

"Never!"

This was on our performance day.

I wracked my brain, trying to remember what the kids had eaten so far.

"I know he had an apple, some water...oh boy...Twizzlers...he had a Twizzler!"

"Okay, nothing else...make sure...no sugar!"

The Shakespeare Club on performance day has a picnic-type dinner break. In years past this meal was made up of turkey-wrap sandwiches I bought at Costco, Papa John's pizza and an array of grapes, pineapple and melons.

For the first time in our history we were having an elegant dinner. A mother in the school's parent group is a caterer and we signed her up.

I looked over the beautifully arranged food and immediately spotted the dessert end, with tiny bread puddings and pots of chocolate mousse. I cast a quick look to Dominick — who'd also detected the forbidden.

He came to me near the end of the repast.

"It's not fair."

"Yeah, I know."

"I want some of that. Just a little, just some."

"Come here, Dominick, sit next to me. I have to tell you something."

He slumped over but kept his eyes on the other actors munching away on the sweets.

"You know, Dominick, real actors...like actors on Broadway...they can't eat whatever they want."

He shot me grumpy look.

"It's true, I'm not making this up. They have to be very disciplined about what they eat, especially before a performance. Dominick, you are a real actor and we can't have you putting anything in your body that would jeopardize your final performance tonight. Can you imagine how awful you'd feel after that?"

Dominick tore his eyes from those puddings, thought for a second and nodded.

"I agree, Ms. Ryane. Okay."

Another bullet missed. Bravo, Dominick.


CHILDREN'S WRITES: A Journal Entry
My Futer

My future is to live in candy world and eat lots of candy every day and not eat helthy.
Krystal, 3rd grade

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