Two Sugars

With the Kid it was somehow different.
With the Kid Jack never got up to make the tea; it was always the other way round.

The Kid, wise to Jack and his little tea-making ceremony, took it all in his long, loping stride.

Reckon it’s about time for our cup of tea, Jack.

As the steam rose from the kettle, he turned to Jack:

Two sugars, isn’t it, Jack?

You know how to make it, Jack said.

But the kid never put the sugars in.

Jack did not like sugar in his tea; it was just their little joke – like the sneakers.