hi, bye and nothing in between

"Hey, will you be staying in the city before going to the Hamptons for the weekend?" I ask my son.

"Ya, but I don't know my exact plans yet."

This was Wednesday.

Early evening Friday his plans are finally confirmed.

"I'm going straight to Sam's from the bus."

In other words, I won't be home until late. Even the promise of a sushi dinner can't entice him to spend the evening at home.

I try to stay up but fall asleep.

I wake around one to see Alexander's bed is still empty.

I fall back to sleep and wake again around two. 

I text Alexander and get no response.

Then I call and my son's phone goes straight to vm.

I get anxious. When he's supposed to be home and isn't, I worry.

At 2:27 am I text Sam.  "Can u ask Alexander to answer my text?"

I get out of bed. The lights are still on in the hall. But I notice my door is half-closed, and I'd left it open.

I peak into Alexander's room and find him sound asleep, atop his covers, fully dressed.

I kiss him good-night.

Then I text Sam again, ""Never mind; he's home asleep." I must sound like the neurotic mother I am.

7:20 am Alexander comes into my room to say good-bye. He's meeting his cousins for a ride out to the Hamptons.

I ask him why he didn't wake me last night to tell me he'd come home. "I forgot," is his explanation.

And then he's gone.