I've Seen a Spy of the Future, and the Future Looks Bright

Every few weeks, the stars align and my whole family is able to gather at my parents' house. We don't care if we get together for brunch, lunch, dinner, a plate of brownies and milk...we are just happy to be hanging out. Of course, if my Mom makes her fabulous baked french toast with sausage and peaches, or meat loaf and mashed potatoes, or beef stew, or BBQ ribs....all the better!

My nephew, Billy, is only 2 and a half, the youngest of the brood and usually on the run to keep up with his big sisters. Pretty much, the only thing that sidelines him from chasing the girls around is the prospect of "helping" on a home improvement project with Gramps. When it is time to sit around the table for a meal, Billy drags his booster seat to the end of the table - right next to his buddy, Gramps.

After one particular meal, Billy asked to be excused to go play with his stuffed dog. As he hopped off his booster, half of his night's meal fell from his lap and onto the ground. There were bread crusts, pieces of macaroni, half a cucumber slice, lettuce and shredded carrots splayed out all around his chair.

Billy looked down at the mess, up at Gramps. Back down at the mess, back up to Gramps. That's when spy mode kicked in. "Wh-wh-who made that mess?" he asked. Gramps rhetorically replied, "I don't know Billy, what do you think?" Without skipping a beat, Billy responded, "Gramps, you're messy!" and off he ran.

Spy rule #1 - Admit Nothing

Spy rule #2 - Deny Everything

And #3 - Accuse Someone Else.

Brilliant.