nut-free

As is probably common knowledge by now, most schools around here are nut-free. Of course I am aware of this fact. However, being myself, I tend to be somewhat forgetful. So I'm wandering the halls on duty one day during nutrition break (yes, for you non-education people out there, it's called nutrition break, not lunch), while the kids are eating. Trying to be the nutrition-conscious person that I'm not, I'm eating trail mix. Delicious. One kid says to me, "what's in there?", eying the bag in what I took to be a curious way. I think, how nice. What a friendly kid trying to make conversation with the supply teacher. "Oh, y'know, peanuts, almonds, raisins, cranberries..." I inform him, smiling pleasantly. It quickly becomes clear that neither curiosity nor friendliness have sparked this conversation. "You're not allowed to have nuts in school," he states flatly. ... gasp ... A few more pairs of eyes are added to his, curious and condemning, wondering what I'm going to say next. What do I say next? I go with the ever popular, "yeah...I know". I do know! I just forgot! I quickly exit the classroom and hide my face in shame. What an idiot! How could I forget that you can't eat nuts!! Nevermind, eating them while walking from classroom to classroom, spreading the deadly evidence all over the school!! Needless to say, I have been sufficiently embarrassed to ensure that I will never eat nuts at a school again.