The Boy was eating dinner — spaghetti and meatballs because of volleyball practice and the need to eat by five — and asked if he could be excused.

“Eat a couple more bites of spaghetti,” I said.

“But I ate all the meat!” he protested. “Now it’s just carbs!”

“Well, you need some carbs, too.”

“I’ve had a ton of carbs today!” he insisted. “Bread with lunch! My cereal in the morning!” A pause. “Daddy, what are carbs?”