Nathan, the author of that evening’s ample, if simple, dinner, looked over. By way of response, Scott rolled his eyes. “Mom,” Nathan asked plaintively, “could we skip using any analogies that include cockroaches until after supper?”

Before Jan could reply, Scott added, “Well after, if you don’t mind. And only if I’m not in the room.”

Jan, caught up in her own excitement, looked quizzically at Nathan, then Scott. “Oh, well,” she finally replied, “I had forgotten how squeamish you big manly men are about such things.”

Nathan growled. “Being faint hearted has nothing to do with it, Mom. It’s just that I’ve been enjoying a break from having to share my dinner with those ancient orthopterons.”

“Prehistoric, Nathan,” Scott corrected his son, as he had done so often during his life. “I believe it is more correct to consider them to be prehistoric. Ancient is normally associated with the period that begins with the early Egyptian kingdoms and ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire.”

Amused, Jan looked at the two of them, then at their second son, who was busy spooning heaps of sauce covered shells onto his plate. “Aren’t you going to wade into this debate?”

Not bothering to look up as he scooped out another helping of pasta, Andrew shook his head. “I’d be a fool to go up against those two. They’re a combined arms team now. Everyone knows you can’t beat Armor and Infantry when they’re cooperating.”

Jan laughed, ignoring Scott and Nathan, who were now actively debating the age of the aforementioned insect. “We don’t have to worry about that, now, do we. After all, when was the last time you saw those two cooperating?”

“I heard that,” Scott snapped as he glanced over to Jan. “That’s going to cost you.”

Jan smiled sweetly. “Well, if you persist in continuing this ridiculous discussion, it’s going to cost you your dinner.”

Looking over at Nathan, who had turned his attention to prying the bowl of pasta shells from his brother’s grip, Scott noticed that it was already half empty. “Hey, hey, there, lieutenant,” he shouted as if he were on a parade ground. “There are other people waiting to eat here. Let’s not forget that this isn’t a mess hall.”

Nathan looked up at Scott, and then Jan. “But Dad, sir,” he replied jokingly. “Andy and I are doing you and Mom a favor. After all, it’s a well established fact that as people grow older, their metabolism slows down. Since you’re unable to burn off one hundred and thirty fewer calories per day with each passing year, you both face the danger of an increase in girth if caloric intake is not diminished appropriately.”

Jan laid her hand on Scott’s arm. “Scott, dear. I think we’ve just been counseled.”

“Counseled,” Scott snapped as he looked at Nathan. “I’ll counsel you later, boy.” Then, with a grin, he added, “but not until after you pass me that bowl of pasta.”

Nathan sat up straight in his chair and pulled his chin in until there were wrinkles of skin showing before he pushed the pasta shells across the table to Scott. “Yes, sir, General, sir. Right away, sir.”