May I Help You?

Boys don't listen.  Time and again they will ask you a question and by the time they have reached the question mark at the end of the sentence, they're gone.  Do I know where they go?  No I do not.  They appear to be standing in front of you but as for the rest of it, well...  All I can attest to is the simple truth that they are no longer present in the here and now.  These are the facts, do with them what you will.

When I arrived home this evening, Ethan immediately started quizzing me about the possibility of having a friend spend the night this weekend.  After clearing up the confusion that stemmed from not listening to the answer his mother had already given him, I went to find a change of clothes and Ethan went to find the phone.

As I rummaged through the clean laundry bins it became apparent that I was no longer alone.  When I turned around, there stood Ethan, starring at me with the phone to his ear, clearly making a call.  I continued with my pursuit until I realized that Ethan was waiting for me.  It was an awkward moment - each of us standing there - nothing being or having been said.  Admittedly, I felt silly engaging in a telephone conversation when I wasn't actually on the phone so I asked,

"May I help you?"

"Um, Mom told me to come and ask you my question," he replied, keeping the phone pressed to his ear.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I already knew the translation of that statement but I decided not to jump to any conclusions and give him the benefit of the doubt.  There was an enduring silence during which I could hear voices on the other end of the telephone connection.  I cocked my head to one side and waited.

"What question did Mom want you to ask me?" I prompted at last.

"I don't know," he said.

I knew it!  Ethan, are you even listening to yourself? 

Andy - 1  Benefit of the Doubt - 0

Well, as much as I enjoy our little chats, I have to go and do anything else.  If you ever figure it out...it's your mother's turn again.

- 17 January 2012