Tuesdays were always special to my dad. Probably because of the Toonie Tuesday deal at KFC. My dad would take the bus to my brother's house to help with the up keep of their house (yes, that is how amazing my dad was to all of us) and on his way back home, he would pick up a meal or 2 from KFC on Tuesdays. My dad was a peculiar man. His love of fried chicken only extended to the fried chicken skin. Once in a blue moon, you may see him eat an entire piece of chicken, skin and meat together...how novel of an idea daddy! But most often than not, the skin of the chicken is usually missing. The skinless fried chicken would sit in its box in the fridge for a couple of days until my mom could stand it no longer and she would eat the chicken herself.
My dad had various health issues ranging from high cholesterol to high sugar levels, so fried chicken became a contraband item at my parents'. That didn't mean that famous red and white KFC box didn't make it into the house. My dad would still visit the good ol' colonel and pick up a box. When my mom would sarcastically ask how a box of fried chicken magically appeared in the fridge, my dad's reply was simple, "I bought it for Darwin." My dad loved my husband for many reasons, but I am almost positive that my husband won my dad over simply with their shared loved for fried chicken. Not just any fried chicken, but KFC fried chicken.
Initially you would think my dad was an incredible father in law to my husband (which I think he is, by the way), who thought of his son in law while at KFC. However, upon closer inspection of this box of KFC, you would notice quite quickly that the fried chicken skin is missing from one of the piece of chicken. Did we get a piece of defective fried chicken from the Colonel? Nope, it's my daddy's way of branding the chicken. My husband, the wonderful man that he is, would happily eat the skinless chicken and mumble thanks to my dad while he's scarfing it down.
This skinless fried chicken scenario didn't happen every Tuesday, but it happened often enough it became a family joke. Whenever we saw a KFC box in the fridge and without peeking, we instinctively knew that box was intended for my husband and at least 1 piece of chicken would be missing its skin. My mom loved my dad dearly and when he couldn't pick up a box of KFC on his own, my mom would pick up a box for him, as a treat, although the story never changed....he would always say, "It's for Darwin."
My mom's sister and brother came over from Hong Kong shortly after my dad's passing, to be with my mom. It's amazing to know that family will be there for you during the most heartbreaking and earth shattering time. On one of the Tuesdays while they were here, my mom picked up some KFC for them. I think going into KFC this particular day was extremely hard for her, but at the same time I think it gave her a sense of comfort. She was no longer there picking up chicken for my dad, but for her brother and sister. I would like to think it gave her a sense of routine. That afternoon, we all sat around the table enjoying the chicken. My aunt and uncle had the audacity to tear off their fried chicken skin and toss it aside. My mom and I giggled. We said, "If only dad was here to see that. What a sight that would be for him."
Just for the record, I am a Churchs' chicken gal. I have always been. There use to be one 1/2 a block from my parents' house. When I was younger my dad would DRIVE me there to pick up a few pieces if I was craving it....Yup, I did type drive. That was the kind of man my daddy was. His motto was, "why walk when you can drive." My mom had always said my dad preferred the fried chicken from Churchs over KFC, but when he could no longer drive and taking the bus was his only option of getting around, KFC became his go to chicken joint. I love how convenient it was for him that a KFC happens to be along his bus route.
KFC reminds me of my dad. Ever since his passing, there isn't a Tuesdays that goes by where I don't think of him and the Toonie Tuesday deal. If you're having KFC on a Tuesday, have it in honour of my dad. I would appreciate that.
I miss you so much, daddy! I'll be sure to save you some fried chicken skin.
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| Ethan feeding Gong Gong pistachios, not fried chicken skin! |
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