Our routine was disrupted this weekend. Hick did not work on Saturday. We spent the afternoon/early evening at school, at a basketball fundraiser game. Hick went eagerly, upon the promise of chicken and dumplings. That's what the poster above the drinking fountain advertised. Chili, and chicken and dumplings. My mom even decided to join us. She was one step ahead, bringing her own containers to get carry-out. For a good cause, you know. To help our basketball teams raise money. Hick got wind of her plan, and told me to take a container to bring home chicken and dumplings. I can't make them. Only the quick kind with cream of chicken soup and tortillas.
We all drove separately. Except The Pony, of course. That would have been illegal. And ill-conceived. Hick planned to drop by the auction later in the evening, so we picked him up on the Walmart parking lot for the trip to school. After the games, The Pony and I could do our shopping before heading home, and Hick could go on to the auction.
During the intra-squad games, Hick decided he was going to grab a bite of supper. He headed for the cafeteria for some chicken and dumplings. I swear he was salivating. Mom kept an eye on him. She wanted a piece of that chicken and dumpling pie.
Hick returned to our seats at the rail, overlooking the gym floor. "There's no chicken and dumplings."
"What? Did you eat it all?"
"No. They didn't have it."
"But the signs said chicken and dumplings!"
"Well, nobody at the counter seemed to know anything about it. I had chili. And it was spicy. Look at my head sweat! It's already talking back to me." He thumped his fist on his chest.
My mom got wind of the chili talk. "There's no chicken and dumplings? You said there'd be chicken and dumplings!"
"I know. That's what the signs said. I can't believe there's no chicken and dumplings! Will you still want chili? Hick says it's spicy. I know you don't like spicy things."
"Well, I brought my containers. I was looking forward to chicken and dumplings. I guess I'll still get some chili. I was going to eat chicken and dumplings tonight and tomorrow."
"If you put in a lot of crackers, and maybe a dash of sugar, and sprinkle in some shredded cheddar...I think it will be bland enough for you."
Mom nodded. She hadn't brought in containers for nothing, by cracky! She dug through her purse and handed Hick a bag of sugar-free Starlight Mints. "Do you need a Tums? I have one in my purse. Wait! No. I took it out."
Hick stopped giving himself the gently Heimlich. "Those mints will be okay. I don't need a Tums." He stuffed several in his pocket, and handed back the bag. My mom does not eat sugar-free mints. She brings them for Hick. Ever since that time she gave him butterscotch and I asked if she was trying to kill him. They bandied words over the Starlights, and Hick ended up stuffing the whole bag in his pocket. For the car.
Mom and The Pony headed to my classroom to grab her containers. Hick had reported the chili price as $3.00 per bowl. Mom wanted to buy $4.00 worth. She asked for a dipper and a third. The kids running the snack bar put in a little too much. "Give me back my four ones. Here. Take five dollars out of this twenty." They looked at her like she was crazy, but did as she said. "I was really wanting some chicken and dumplings, but I guess I'll just have to settle for chili." They cracked. They spilled the beans that the girls' team was supposed to bring chili, and the boys' team was supposed to bring chicken and dumplings.
I sure hope that money goes to the girls' team! The promise of chicken and dumplings is a terrible thing to waste.
And for Hick and Mom, sing it with me now..."You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
How disappointed they must have been.
ReplyDeleteCream of chicken and tortillas? Do tell.
I think I would have preferred chili to chicken and dumplings. By the way, in India I learned a trick to help with spicy food. Add butter to your serving and stir it in good. The flavor remains the same but the butter absorbs the heat.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can't always get what you want. Most times you can't even get what you need.
ReplyDeleteI've heard the Rolling Stones joined by a classical choir in that number. Talk about a WEIRD combination.
I never realized Mick was singing about chicken and dumplings, but now it makes sense. Are those mints cherry red? Next year tell the girls to bring the chicken and dumplings.
ReplyDeleteChili for me too.
ReplyDeleteA scoop and a third? Your mom is a Pip!
Maybe a little Brown Sugar would have cut down on the spiciness...
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteTwo cans of cream of chicken soup. Two cans of chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Add a pack of flour tortillas that have been cut into two-inch squares. Boil 5 minutes exactly. Not four minutes, not six minutes. FIVE MINUTES EXACTLY. And whatever your do, don't use multi-grain tortillas. They dissolve. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cans of white meat chicken. Add black pepper. Enjoy.
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Stephen,
That is a good tip. Maybe I should add a food hotline service to the many sidelines offered at my proposed handbasket factory.
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Leenie,
I think I heard that. Probably in the movie The Big Chill.
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Tammy,
Mick is an enigma. The mints are white-and-red peppermints. I broached the subject of the chicken and dumplings with the boys today. Hey! They started it, asking why I left before the end of the game. I told them I had to go find some chicken and dumplings for supper. Strangely enough, they had no response.
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joeh,
She wants what she wants, and is willing to pay a decent price.
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Sioux,
In any case, I can report that it was a gas, gas, gas.