Dinner with Bapa

"It is a weekend at camp, and the dinner table is full. The entire Evans family is in attendance. If an outsider were to enter the screened in porch at Waialua, they may be overwhelmed by boisterous conversations and laughter. Several different discussions can be heard across the table: family members catching up with each other, talking of politics, and recent tales are being exchanged.






Suddenly a "ding-ding" can be heard at the end of the table. Everyone quiets down for the most part, except for two or three people still so engrossed in the conversation, that they don't notice the bell.

The man at the head of the table waits very patiently to begin his story. He clears his throat and begins to speak, although someone forgets it is time to listen and continues his or her conversation. The man doesn't ring his bell again or make a sound, instead he shoots them a stern look, and they pipe down immediately.







The patriarch continues with his story, a tale they have all heard before, but this does not matter. Everyone listens intently, as the beloved father and grandfather tells a tale of his youth with great detail and enthusiasm.



These stories never grow old, because they are told so well. Bapa's entire ritual of gaining attention at the dinner table is a shining example of the pride he takes in being at the head of our family."
Carrie 2008


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The signal that the story telling is about to commence is Jack a/k/a Papa sliding forward on his seat reaching for his belt to unbuckle it and partially unzipping his fly.
John 2008