So, eldest son and I went over to take of the heelers, cats and red fox yesterday evening (this evening, too, but this entry is about yesterday evening). And then had to stop at his favorite (and the town's only) coffee and ice cream shoppe to retrieve the book he left there that afternoon.

Which, of course, also led to the purchase of yet another latte and biscotti. And, naturally, he was in line behind two families with three young kids, all getting ice cream cones.

So, I sat in the car out front and waited.

And noticed a young couple coming across the street to the shoppe, and then playing in the doorway, with the short female blocking the way of her obviously enamored tall redheaded escort, and teasingly stealing his hat.

Which he retrieved, after some necessary pawing.

Then they trotted inside and sat closely together on one of the couches.

This was of interest because the tall redheaded escort was youngest son, and I had no idea who the young female was.

Eldest son's response when I querried him on her identity was that she was youngest son's "girlfriend." But had no idea what her name was. And seemed surprised I would care.

Brothers.

Now, having the label "girlfriend" attached to anyone in relation to youngest son is news to both me and the wife.

Not a surprise, mind you, considering the late hours he's been keeping since school let out, but we'd kinda like to know who she is, you know?

And any direct questioning on such subjects gets the smiling, evasive answers these days, so I left it up to the wife to poke and pry.

Which she did, with complete success, today. The young lady is two grades his junior, which concerns me more than the wife, but someone she had already met, and likes, so we're cool.

Been horribly impressed at how well he has matured in the past couple years. And wish I could find a way to claim some of the credit. Not sure I'm ready to deal with this, yet (but it's here to stay, Dad... deal with it).

(Oh. If it's of interest, the little fox loves cherries. More than ham or turkey. And Rainiers more than bings.)