Conversations with My Third Son

My youngest son is very funny, in a dry and sometimes dark way. The past year has been one of big changes for him. He's lived away from home since just after his high school graduation -- wow, was that really almost five years ago?! -- first with his brother then with his girlfriend. Since last August, he's been living on his own and going to school full-time in an accellerated college program. Even though he's busy, he calls me more often than either of his brothers, and texts me for advice sometimes. Here is a snippet of our text-talk yesterday evening:

Son: How long does ground meat usually last in the fridge?

Me: I'd say 3-4 days. Sniff it if you're unsure.

Son: I'm pushing five or six days with this . . . The sniff test is inconclusive. I guess I shouldn't take the chance but I'm all geared up for burgers here.

Me: Is it slimy or brown?

Son: Not really. A little pale, like it's feeling ill, but not any slimier than usual.

Me: It's prob okay.

Son: I guess I'll go for it. If I don't make it tell Sophia [my little cat] I love her.

Me: Okay. She loves you too. I'm pretty sure.

Son: It was a little slimier than anticipated but there's no going back now!

Me: Wishing you all the best

This is typical of our exchanges. We had a semi-long phone call today -- he's coming up for Easter -- and when we got off the phone he texted me to tell me his school had been evacuated because of a "suspicious package". I asked if he'd heard any explosions. His college is literally right across the street from his apartment. He said the "suspicious package" had turned out to be a left-behind backpack and he had the all-clear to go to class. Oh, did I mention that when I was talking to him he said he'd been stung by a bee and it was swelling like crazy? When he was little, he had horrible reactions, although thankfully none was anaphylactic. Being quite the pro at allergic reactions, I told him what to watch for, what made it an emergency.

For all our banter, maybe in part because of the silliness, we have a great relationship. Even through this period of adjustment for both of us, we're as close as ever -- possibly even more.