growing up

Alexander tells me he'll be home on Friday.  I'll still be at work when he arrives so I leave a note for him on the dining table.

Note reads:
Hi Sweetie-Call me when you get in — and please don't put anything on table or new chairs. xx

Alexander goes to a friend's house after arriving in NY, and I'm asleep when he finally makes it home. 

I get up Saturday morning and see a dark-colored coat, flung over a light-colored chair, next to  my note asking that this doesn't happen:

Later on Saturday Alexander shows up at work; he is buying jeans today. 

He does this on his own. Four pair of jeans in under an hour. "It's so much better shopping alone than with you. It's so much faster,"  he tells me. 

My son is the typical male shopper. He'd prefer to never do it. Shopping for him is a necessity, not a preferred activity. He doesn't browse. He doesn't waste time viewing alternatives. He wants to be in and out as quickly as possible. 

But in the end, Alexander feels good about his purchase. "You know, this is the first time I've bought clothes for myself."  I guess he really is growing up.

Now if he'd only pay attention to my notes...