RELATIVE INSANITY: Steve in Hong Kong

Here's a scan of the card Steve left me when he took off for Hong Kong. Don't know why it scanned in B&W and I don't have time to redo it now, but it's a silver card with these boys in a pink metallic color (perhaps I just explained the reason right there).

Steve bought this for me on his last trip to HK and saved it to give to me now. Very sweet.

Steve called at 10pm last night (our time) and to say he arrived, then again at 6:30am to say he was going to sleep (they're 15 hours ahead of us). He has a big first day of work ahead.

I always call his parents and let them know he's okay. I'm thoughtful like that. So yesterday I called Kurt and left a message for Loretta, saying I wouldn't call them in the middle of the night, I'd just wait until the next morning. Kurt said okay, and I never heard anything from Loretta.

So this morning I make my obligatory calls. Kurt is fine. I tell him that Steve went on a little boat tour, saw a big Buddha statue, and took so many photos he's worried he's used up the camera battery (we forgot to pack the charger). Kurt laughs, I tell him I'll call if I hear anything major or have Steve call when he returns. Kurt is appreciative.

Here is my call to Loretta on her cell phone.

LORETTA: Hello?
RICK: Hi, Loretta? It's Rick.
(silence)
RICK: Steve's partner?
(silence)
RICK: Loretta?
LORETTA: Yes?
RICK: Can you hear me?
LORETTA: Yes.
RICK: It's Rick. Steve's boyfriend. (I chuckle slightly, in that creepy "I can't believe I'm having to downgrade my title AND explain this" sort of way. But God bless her, Loretta might not understand what a "partner" is.)
(more silence)
RICK: Loretta?
LORETTA: Yes?
RICK: Can you hear me?
LORETTA: Yes. Who is this?
RICK: Rick. Your son's boyfriend. (Now I just feel like I'm in high school all over again and introducing myself to a parent for the first time.)
LORETTA (sudden understanding): Oh, yes.
RICK: I was just calling to let you know he made it to China safely.
LORETTA: Oh?
RICK: Yep. He's fine and all is good.
LORETTA (in sing-songy mother voice): Oh, well, that's wonderful. Thanks for calling. God bless.
click

I'd think Loretta was sore with me for some reason-- perhaps from reading something I wrote on the blog-- but I know she can't figure out her computer for e-mail, much less visits websites. And what confuses me more is that of all the boys, I can do Catholic speak with her. I was big with the Catholics and I actually enjoy it because it kind of brings me back to my roots. So I feel like if there was ever someone she could relate to in a conversation, it would be me.

Maybe she was just busy and confused because she hadn't gotten my message and/or this call was coming out of context (See, this is me thinking from her perspective, being non-judgmental and open, which is very much my "Christian mind power" in action).

Eh... Whatever. I've got to review a restaurant for brunch and then get to Laguna.