For the longest time when my immediate and extended family got together on a major holiday like Mother's Day and went out to eat, I really was not much of a factor when it came to have the who-is-going-to-pay-the-bill conversation. I mean sure I would contribute money for myself, my mother and maybe my brother, but I wasn't pulling out enough money to pay for the 6-10 people at the table. Usually my grandfather or one of my uncles would take care of that before I even sniffed the bill. I vowed to get in on that conversation one day, but as of late, I had not been in an extended family outing, so my shot at redemption had been delayed--until yesterday that is..

Yesterday there were seven of us out at breakfast after church, and as we ordered the food, the waitress asked if there would be one bill, and who she should give it to once it came. Immediately my uncle said, there would be one bill, and he would be the one to pay it. When he turned his head, I summoned the waitress and asked her to give ME the bill when it came, and to ignore my uncle. Sure enough when that bill came, the waitress coolly put it right in front of me, and I paid without anyone noticing what the smooth maneuver I had pulled off.

When it was clear that everyone was finished eating, both my uncle and my grandfather (who never really officially put his bid in beforehand) both prepared to take out their money, and I politely told them I had taken care of it. Then they insisted that they get in on the tip, and I again told them that their money was no good here. Then to deflect the possibility of an awkward moment, I told them that this type of initiative on my part would NEVER happen again..everyone laughed and we left. I must admit it made me feel like a grown man..

Of course my grandfather one-upped me right before I left to drive back to D.C. He pulled out a $20 bill, and told me to use it on gas. I tried to tell him he didn't need to give it to me, but he had already turned his attention back to the television, and the remote was firmly in his hand. I suppose there are some things you never grow out of, no matter how old or grown you think you are...