The Plus Sign

One thing at a time, Unc.

“Uncle Matt,” five-year-old Christopher said, “Why do they have a plus sign on that sign? Where are the numbers? Don’t they want to add something together?”

Matt looked up at what the toddler was referring to.

“Oh those? It’s not a plus sign. It means there is a road up ahead that will cross with this one. See, the road we’re on is the up and down line, and the road up there with the red light crosses our line.”

Christopher tilted his head and said, “Hmm. I think I can see that now.”

“And if you see a line that goes up and one that only touches our line on one side, it means it doesn’t cross our road. It just touches it.”

“Now you’re confusing me, Uncle Matt. I don’t see that other sign and I can’t see it in my head either.”