Italian Sausage and Apples

Italian Sausage and Apples. Not quite the ideal menu for a sweet dinner for two. However, it suited my oldest son Andrew and I just fine last night.

Chris had taken both Brendan and Evan golfing with him, and Andrew and I were left at home by ourselves. As dinner approached, it became apparent to me that I was actually going to have a meal alone with Andrew. For a moment, I wished I had thought of something more exciting to have, but my menu is typically set in stone when I grocery shop the preceding Sunday. So, Italian Sausages and apples graced our plates.

I kind of felt anxious like I was on a first date with my own child. We hadn't had a meal alone together since he was an infant, and I was his only source of food at that time! We sat at first idly chatting about the game he had been playing on the computer.

We continued on discussing the latest activities of his school. He was updating me about how to play a favorite playground game, Four Squares. Andrew vividly described and pantomimed the various moves he practiced to be an effective winner of the game. He hinted that only boys played the game, so I inquired what all the girls were doing. He said they either sit down or wait to be chased by boys. So, like a good mom should, I asked him if she chased any girls. He looked at me quizzically and said, "Why would I?" Oh, he is his father's child!

The dinner progressed and the food diminished. I sat at one moment and just watched him. I felt my emotion surge over me as I just wanted to cry at the big guy he has become. Only eight short years have passed since he was a little baby, but he is so independent and grown up already.

Abruptly, Andrew stood up, put his cup on his plate, and took it to the kitchen. He was oblivious to his mom's emotions. I asked him simply, "All done?"

He, in turn, simply replies, "Yep."

My basic menu provided a remarkable moment. Hopefully, I don't have to wait another eight years for another meal alone.