"What's all that stick things there?" Calden asked, wrote his mom in an email to ThisCrazyTrain.com.
Kelly looked down.
"Those are cigarettes," she told her son. Then she had to explain what a cigarette was and what happens after people smoke it. Lots of "whys" about why people smoke, etc., and why would people not throw their cigarette butts in the garbage like how Calden throws his lollipop and popsicle sticks in the garbage when he's finished sucking on them.
Great question, Calden! Let's ask the smokers!
Kelly writes that Calden was very confused about why anyone would make such a mess. On purpose.
So she took him to the bus loop (where there are signs that clearly state that "No Smoking" is allowed) and she let him ask a smoker who just happened to toss his used butt over the fence, why he didn't throw it in the garbage.
She regrets not recording any of this. So do I.
The smoker said to Kelly, "You don't teach your kid not to talk to strangers??? You're a bad mom." And he walked off, shaking his head.
"Mommy," said Calden. "People who smoke are bad people."
Can you blame the kid for thinking that way? Kelly assured him that smokers are actually nice people who just need to be reminded that they need to respect the Earth. "And nature," added Calden, in a matter of fact voice.
It was also at that exact moment that the train operator climbed out of the locomotive and lit up a cigarette track-side.
"Ess-scuse me," said Calden to the man, "Will you 'peas' not 'trow' your cigarette on the ground?"
He turned around, mid-suck, and looked surprised when Calden addressed him. The Bombardier employee nodded and looked away, and began to inspect the train as he continued to smoke. Awwkward, he looked like he wanted to swallow it, wrote Kelly.
My son has no filter. He sees it, he says it, she writes.
I love Calden. Give him a vest. A bullhorn. A clipboard and a flame thrower. He's hired!
