10/18/2024
So it begins…
As I sit on the couch reading a book, B is unloading the dishwasher. He is chatty, telling me stories about schoolmates misbehaving.
At first, I’m irritated, because I’m having to reread the same page, not able to focus while he’s talking.
Then it dawns on me…he wants to talk to me, without my provoking a conversation. I quickly put the book down, turn toward him and fully engage in what he’s saying.
I ask probing questions, nod my head and say, “Yeah. Then what?”
I’m interested and hanging on every word.
Then he says, “Mom,”
“Yeah,” replying as though it’s another schoolmate story and having no idea what’s really in store.
“A girl asked me to the dance.”
My breath stops, as I gasp for air from being startled. Not what I was expecting him to say.
In the most unlike-Jessica manner, my voice has an even tone when I reply, “Do you want to go?” (If you know me, you know my voice has tons of inflections, I easily get excited, and my voice is rarely ever even toned 😊)
He says, “Yes.”
Keeping my cool demeanor, “Then you can go.”
He replies, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one else asked me.”
I pause then say, “Being asked the first time is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity overall. Others will ask you. You’re funny, fun, handsome, smart, friendly, and likeable. You’ll be asked again, and you’ll ask others. Plus, you can always go with your friends. I always went with friends, and it was a lot of fun. What’s the name of the girl who asked you.”
I’m on pins and needles waiting for the details. He replies, “At lunch. Well actually her friend asked me for her. Her friend says, ‘Brenda (not her real name) wants to go to the dance with you.’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Then her friend said, ‘Is that a yes or no.’ I said, ‘Yes.’”
He pauses and then continues, “Then I didn’t know what to do, so I asked my friend who has a girlfriend. He told me what to do and wear, but I don’t remember anything of what he said”
“Well, you’re not having a girlfriend until you’re 21.” I always make up random high age numbers when I don’t want him to do something (date, ride a motorcycle, etc).
“What?! That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe, but still. Okay, when is the dance?”
“Next Friday. I’m thinking I can ride my scooter.”
“No, I’ll drop you off. You’re only 11.”
“What about when I’m 12?”
“Do I look dumb?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
I cut him off, “I look dumb?!”
“Oh, no! That’s not what I meant.”
“B, that’s only a two-week difference. You turn 12 in two weeks. You can either accept a ride from me or not go. Are there chaperones?”
He lets out a big grunt with a sigh and says, “Fine, but you can’t stay. Yes, there are.”
“I don’t want to...”
Then again, maybe I’ll volunteer to chaperone 😊
I’m open to any and all advice or suggestions on this new phase with B. Oh, and I’ll definitely be taking my own stress management advice to keep stress at bay during this phase.