A Reprieve, An Anxiety

Who knew that with The Boy away, I would have nothing to write about. It's almost like I've put my mind on a shelf. Not true of course, but there have been days it's felt like that.

The truth is, The Boy has been terribly homesick. I've talked to him almost everyday, and sending off e-mails and text messages. It's being so far away from home, it's not being able to communicate meaningfully with anyone, it's not having good food because really, you only get good food in France in restaurants and he isn't eating in restaurants with his host family. He's had little internet access so he's had to withdraw from the online course he was hoping to complete in France.

At least he likes the Exchange and the Exchange's 14-year-old cousin. He and the Exchange share similar taste in music and art. The Cousin is the regional break dance champion. Who knew villages in southern France have regional break dance champs.

He's been camping with the Exchange and the Cousin. They were driven to a family camp ground 20 minutes away from the Exchange's village and given two tents and sleeping bags, and that was it. The three were left at the camp ground overnight. While it was an adventure of sorts, they had absolutely nothing to do.

There was a swimming pool with a slide at the camp ground. But camp owners would't let The Boy use it without the proper swim wear. They only allow the triangle, Speedo type bathing suit, or you can even swim in a skin-hugging triangular underwear. But they did not like The Boy's bathing trunks nor his boxers. Too much like street clothes.

The Boy's asked that we arrange to send him back to Paris for a day or two to meet a friend of his, who will be in Paris for a week with her family. Maybe a bit of familiarity will help with the homesickness and improve the second half of his trip. I asked him to put me in touch with her parents first and we will talk about it, without promising anything. Then yesterday, I did not hear from The Boy at all. He has not even replied to my text message. Nor has he gotten in touch today. They may have moved to the Exchange's cottage, or things improved for The Boy and he has not had a chance to recharge his cell phone.

Or he's lost his cell phone.

I will phone tomorrow. I worry about him.