Friday morning, these words were music to my ears! I was busy cleaning the kitchen, when PITA 16 came in and began helping out. WITHOUT BEING ASKED. I didn't want to ruin the moment, so I didn't say anything. I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted, but we continued to work side by side in silence. After a while, he asked if his sister was coming home from college for the weekend. I told him she wasn't sure because of studying, and hadn't decided if she'd be home for Easter. He said his friend's sister goes to a college closer to here, and is home every weekend. he started talking about how he'd like to go to that school, and he was worried about the ACT in the fall.

I just let him talk! I was so amazed he was talking to me; letting me in on his thoughts. He asked me several questions about scholarships and college visits in the fall. He said he'd like to be a teacher and a coach, so he'd like to go see where I went to school, since it is known for its education program.

Loghead came in, and started to join in the conversation. i told him to get out! "I'm talking to my son and I don't need you in the way," I said.

We continued talking and finished our work. He got ready to go over to his grandparents for the afternoon, and it was like the spell was broken. But it was nice...

Saturday morning before I left town, I wrote him a letter about how I enjoyed our chat more than he could imagine. Later I was telling Loghead how nice it made me feel that if even for that brief moment, he let me "mom."

I won't get my hopes up, but maybe this is a sign of true maturity for him.