"Why?" He looked genuinely puzzled.

“Because you're twenty, you're a damn fine looking young man and a real sweetheart. The girls should be all over you and I never met a young man who wouldn't like that."

“I'm busy, school, work, looking after you."

“Honey, I'm fine I enjoy your company, but rather see you out having fun with a special, woman. So, how special is she?"

“Don't know, first response I've gotten from her." He smiled, a natural one this time, “It's a start."

“What's she like?"

“She's kind of sweet, but kind of not." He said and seeing the look on my face, grinned, "Twenty, not twelve mom."

“Right, well, um, you be careful with that not sweet side okay? Fun is one thing, wild another."

“No worries." He pointed at me, "So quid pro quo, mom, what about you?" “What about me?"

“Mom, you're hot as hell, outgoing, sweet as you say I am; why are you alone?"

"I'm hot as hell?" I wagged my finger at him, "I'm your mother, you don't talk about me like that."

“Jeez, sorry." He said defensively.

“But you are," He rolled his eyes, “Attractive and if nothing else I'd figure you'd get a lot of offers at work."

“Plenty of them and the offer usually has a dollar amount attached or is from an asshole that's such a dog he doesn't even try to hide his wedding band."

“What about the gym? Your other job? You go out with friends sometimes. How come you're not seeing anyone?"

"I work a lot and I still take care of you even though you think it's the other way around and..." I looked away, “I'm not over your dad enough yet for that."

“It's been over a year mom." Paul wasn't letting up, “That's plenty of time and dad wouldn't want you alone.”

“Sorry, didn't know there was a timeline and I know what your father wanted, you to graduate college and for us to stay in this house as a family. Least until you're ready to move on."

“Think he'd want you alone?" He asked, “You're forty four, not sixty four, you shouldn't be alone."

“I was with your father for twenty two years, it's not that easy to get close to someone after that."

“I'm not talking remarry." He shrugged, “Just fun, go out and have a good time, get laid."

“Paul!" I snapped.

“I don't care how old you are, you do not talk about my damn sex life." Christ, why did this conversation suddenly sound like the intros to one of Stone's fruity scripts.

“Yeah, but I thought we were close." He said quietly, "You always say we can talk about everything. Besides you're asking about mine."

“We are close, honey, But there are some things we shouldn't talk about. I didn't ask for a blow by blow of what you do, I said be careful if you're with a girl who is not so sweet and I'm the parent here and have that right."