Growing Pains

Silence. A yawning gap appears between us. It’s not always there. But my questions deliver just mumbled one-word answers. I have to strain to hear. I ask him to repeat himself but his reply seems designed to destroy conversation, it seems to suck meaning or purpose from the air. My thoughts feel flat and meaningless. I glance over to him to read his expression. It is neutral, a sort of impassive indifference. Maybe I ask too many questions. Maybe he thinks my questions are interrogations. Perhaps my self-consciousness puts him off. I just want to get closer to my son.