Christopher called me from school today. He was on his cell phone which spared me the visceral shot of adrenaline that follows seeing his school on the caller i.d.
“I’m afraid our spree of no homework has ended.” This was said abruptly and woefully.
“Oh that’s too bad.” I said. Personally, I was suffused with relief that I was not speaking with a. his support teacher or b. his assistant Principal.
“…because I have the bad luck of being assigned Civics.”
Now here I had a jolt of misgiving. Civics was first semester, as today is the third day of second semester, he has no business having any homework there.
“Did you mean ‘Economics’?” I asked.
“No, no I’m not in Geometry,” he said, “I’m in fourth hour.”
We have these sorts of conversations on the phone, all the time and even face to face. Being hard of hearing stinks. And being fine of hearing whilst conversing with the former ain’t no picnic.
“E-CO-NOM-ICS!” I enunciated, “Is that where you have homework?”
“Oh yeah! Yeah!’ He said.
“Well you can do that,” I said. “I bet you can do that easily. And if you need help I know Dad would love to give it.” Economics was Paul’s major in college and his life’s passion. Economics is not to be confused with finance. I don’t have a ready metaphor for the difference, but I’m sure he does. It takes all kinds, right?
“OK, Mom.” Christopher said.
“You should probably get back to work, Buddy.”
“OK, Mom.”
“I love you.” I said, “Have a great afternoon.”
“OK. I love you too.”
I have expended more adrenaline raising this kid than…I don’t have the strength to make an apt comparison and my sleep debt probably rivals what the U.S. owes the Chinese and, I’m thankful to remember, it’s worth every ounce, every minute. He is. Worth it.