Stinky stinks

A young dad, Danny, was driving while his toddler was in the back seat. A stinky smell of a skunk who had just sprayed nearby quickly took over his SUV.

“Ugh! Smells like a skunk!” he said.

Several months later, he was driving with his toddler son, Aiden, and it happened again.

“Eew! It smells like skunks, daddy!” Aiden said.

Danny agreed, but wondered how Aiden knew what a skunk smells like. He then recalled the last incident and laughed it off.

Later that same day, Danny and Aiden went to run an errand at Nordstrom Rack. While the two were preparing to leave, Danny saw a man rush into the store and head for the men’s cologne section. As Danny and Aiden were exiting the store, the same man rushed out of the store with them.

“Eeewww daddy! It smells like skunks!” Aiden said loudly.

Danny couldn’t help himself and laughed pretty loud.

“Does it, bud?” he asked Aiden, not knowing how to respond or apologize to the gentleman.

“Yes daddy! Like lots and lots of skunks!” Aiden confirmed.

Danny and Aiden made it back to their car. As they drove off, the same gentleman was making his way back into the store for more cologne.

Or perhaps a different cologne.

Mario Lazano is a professional animal trapper at Animals Happen in Lisle, Illinois

While on the topic of skunk smells, for horrendous skunk smells, Mario suggests two things.

First, a solution made of baking soda, peroxide and soap. This will work on mostly anything, including humans, dogs, windows, concrete, etc. However, since skunk odor penetrates, the smell may still linger even after cleaning with the solution.

Second, an ozone generator – which is a machine that sends electric currents through and destroys odor molecules.

Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this short story, excluding interviews, are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.