My son started spending all his free time with a 50-year-old co-worker; when I was invited to dinner, the man said, “It’s time you knew what I really want from your son.”

That was a healthy thing, right?

Then I began to notice how close they had become.

Tyler quoted Richard as the children quote their parents.

Richard’s views became Tyler’s views.

And yes, I was worried.

An older man suddenly showing such an intense interest in my son?

I could not convince myself that such a large age difference was of no importance.

“Mom, are you listening to me?” Tyler asked one night, surprising me by staring at him.

“I hear you,” I lie. I'm just weird, that's all.

You act like I've moved. I'm still here.

But it was not; not really.

His mind lived elsewhere now, in a home that was not ours.

One Sunday, Tyler came home radiant, in a way that troubled me more than I should.

“Mom, I want you to meet Richard,” he said. Can I invite you to dinner?

I hesitated.

Part of me meant no, keeping that man at bay forever.