The Return of the Nibs?

Nibs has settled on Wednesday night, one of the nights I come over, as her night to go out, usually with Natasha*. Last week, Nibs said she'd be back at 9:00, but we didn't even hear from her until she got home at 11:00.

That didn't bother me; I just chilled with a new copy of The Economist. My son, however, wigged out a little and wouldn't go to bed.

I told her what had happened when she got back and didn't think twice about it, until last night. He told me over the phone that he wants to go bowling, see, and of course that means bowling with both of us, even though Nibs is arthritic and can't participate much.

That's when Nibs said something astounding: "He needs to learn to do things without me." Like bowl, sleep, eat, etc. I never thought I'd hear her say that. Our boy is going to be fourteen next month, so it's about damn time.

Dare I hope that this means Nibs is rediscovering life, i.e. life off the couch and outside the house? That something good for her has finally come of my departure?



*Code name for our son's first babysitter and close family friend for most of m'boy's life.