While this space is usually used to recount the utterances of our younger son, Sebastian, today the quip is from our older boy. Nathan now 18, is 6’4″, a senior in high school, and finds his parents to be extremely un-cool.

Nathan and I were in Austin to visit the University of Texas (where he has been accepted) and get a feel for the city a bit. As we approached the capitol building….

Nathan: “So that’s where Ted Cruz hangs out, eh?”

Me: “Um, no.”

Nathan: “What do you mean?”

Me; “What do you mean?”

Nathan: “Isn’t he one of our state senators?”

Me: “He is one of our state’s senators.”

Nathan: “That’s what I said.”

Me: “No you didn’t.”

Nathan: “Whatever. His office is in there, right?”

Me: “You’re kidding, right? That is the state capitol, it is for the Texas state government. Ted Cruz is a U.S. senator.”

Nathan: “Wait, so Texas has its own government?”

Me: “Please tell me you’re joking.”

Nathan: “So who works in there?”

Me: “Um, state senators and state representatives.”

Nathan: “Wow. Just like in Washington?”

Me: “More or less. Tell me you’re joking, please.”

Nathan: “I never knew! Is it like that in every state?”

Me: “Remind me to call your school on Monday.”

Nathan: “Why?”

Me: “To get a refund.”