Holding Hands

Several years ago, while walking hand in hand with Ben, I said, "You know, Ben, one day you won't want to hold hands with me."
His response, "Oh, no, that'll never happen!"
"Yea, it will. But it'll be OK."

Last night, walking out of Target side by side, I commented to Ben, now 12 1/2, "You notice you're not holding my hand?" He just smiled. "What did I say it would be?" "You said it would be OK."

Bitter-sweet.