Other Planet Gender Communications

I know I will never fully understand the workings of men’s minds. They seem to be able to engage and disengage in the strangest ways. My two, husband and son, always confuse me with their segues. For example, David was returning to his college apartment today after spending the weekend here. We saw him for brief, enjoyable moments but his calendar was full as should be expected. Jack and I kept trying to carve out a few moments to discuss the serious stuff—i.e. his roommate for a two-bedroom apartment disappeared into thin air (another story for later, but now I just don’t have the energy.)

Just before David’s girlfriend arrives for their trip back to Athens, we talk about his efforts to find a new roommate. He's doing just about all that he can. Then Jack starts to escalate emotionally, stating the obvious by proclaiming, “We just can’t pay for this apartment! You have to get a roommate!”

I decide to absent myself because I don’t want this to become a family conflagration. I let the dogs out into the backyard, and re-enter about five minutes later. “And you know,” Jack is saying as David nods. “Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward and are the strongest birds and fastest birds for their size.”

Okaaaay.