Reconnecting with my son

By Steve Gordon

A couple weeks ago my son called and asked if I would meet him. Of course I would, and did. We met at a pool hall and shot some pool and talked a little. Seems he can't completely let go of some things that happened over the past 10 or so years while I was in prison and wants to talk about them.

I don't want to reopen those things but I recognize his needs so this is something I can do. Then down the road we can potentially finally put a lot of stuff to rest. During our hour or so shooting pool a few things were said that got me to thinking afterward that I need to learn how to be a dad again.

He said he was hoping, but not expecting, that I would call him and ask him ("invite" is the word he used) to the recent auto show in Philadelphia. The funny thing is that it crossed my mind but I did not do it. In conversation he always talks about how busy they are going here and there and with the one-year old so I (foolishly) opted out of calling him.

Guess I dropped the ball on that. Now where do I go. Because he came out and said he wanted to talk I am feeling that it now falls upon me as the dad to try to arrange how we do this. I will give him a call this weekend and see if we can get this started. I will keep you posted.

While we were shooting pool it was obvious I am not very competent at pool. Jim plays in a pool league and seems to know his way around on the felt. Guess I will have to settle for that and being a better player on the outside greens of a golf course. Balance is good.