"That he ... he asked me to play House with him."
"Ruth!"
She laughed, a little shakily. "Don't get hysterical, Daddy. I didn't do it."
I slumped in my seat. "That's encouraging."
"What d'you suppose is the matter with him, Harry?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," I said. "I never thought of him as being much different from the rest. A little more shy, maybe, and a little less exuberant on the physical side. Not enough to worry about, though.... How's he in school?"
She frowned. "He's in the fifth year of third grade now. An above-average student, and very inquisitive. And kind of shy, like you said. I always thought he was well-adjusted, although I don't think he ever plays House with the same girl twice. I just never thought of him as a problem, until today. That—that question!"
"Yeah," I said wryly, "he seems to be full of questions." I told her about my visit from Mike-One and the chat with Adam. "Well, Mommy," I said, "it looks like after all these years it's finally happening...."
"What's finally happening, Daddy?"
I sighed. "One of our Kids is growing up."