I'm alone in a Via coming back from Soho ($6.48 total; how can you not love Via?). I've just seen a screening of War Dogs (great) with Susan and Jill.
"Hi, I'm on a bus, on my way into Manhattan."
It's Alexander. I haven't seen him in four weeks and miss him.
"I'm seeing some friends tonight, but I'll be home after, so don't double lock the door."
"You're coming home?"
"Ya"
"Great. I'll take you out to dinner tomorrow night."
"Can't. I'm going back tomorrow."
At four a.m. my son wakes me to let me know he's home.
I leave a sleeping boy on Saturday to go to work.
I'm at Saks; it's late afternoon and I'm having a miserable day. I've been at work since 9:15 and plan to leave around 6. So far I've sold zero. That means I've earned zero.
But at 5:29 I get a text that brightens my day.
Great. I start to think of restaurant possibilities. Steak? Burgers? I'll see what my son wants.
About an hour later I call.
"So where do you want to go for dinner?"
"I'm eating with a friend."
I see Alexander briefly when he and his friend come back to the apartment around 10 to watch a movie.
And I see him briefly again this morning. He reminds me of how well-behaved he's been. "You forgot to thank me for not sleeping on the sofa for the two nights I was home."
I don't expect my son to miss me in the same way I miss him. But a little more time with him when he is home would be nice.
His leaving is always a rush.
"Get off your computer. Now! I need to print out my ticket."
I ask to take a photo before he leaves.
"I don't have time."
You do. It'll take a sec.
"I don't."
"You do."
"Okay but hurry. If I miss my bus it'll be your fault."
A smile would be asking too much.
On the positive side, my son didn't throw up everywhere like last time he was home (return of the ex-roommate), and he did sleep in his own bed. And he did let me take a picture of him.
I guess that's progress.
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