Just When I've Had Enough

The middle boy came home today while I was on the phone.

"Dad!"

Crap, I'm on a business call.

"DAD!!"

I snap my fingers a few times, trying to get his attention from the study.

"DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Sorry," I say into the phone. "Just a second."

I stick my head out the door. "Hang on, buddy, I've got to finish."

My client laughs when she hears me. "Say hi to your son," she says. I like my client.

We finish the call and I go upstairs. He's eating popcorn and watching SportsCenter.

"What's up?" I ask. I hate popcorn. It stinks, it gives me a stomachache, and I always eat too much.

"I got my math test back," he says, smiling that awkward grin that a lot of middle schoolers have, not little boys any more but not yet adults. I got an 'A.' Pretty good, huh?"

"Yes it is. Pretty damn good. Way to go, man."

We do the high five thing, I muss his hair, and he turns back to the television. I look at him for a minute, wondering how this kid came to be.

Pretty damn good. He is that.