Aidan dribbles and then takes a step back three. It clunks of the back rim and into my hands. He’s been telling me that he’s been shooting threes during his after school games but this is the first time I’ve seen it. He now has the strength to shoot them relatively easily using a push set shot which strangely makes me feel proud. He even makes a few doing our four games of 21. I of course beat him in every game but my aching knees the next two days tell me I won’t have this advantage for long.

Aidan is a teenager. He is still quite small for his age but turning the corner on becoming a man. He’s starting to keep some teenager secrets while spinning my ear off on the latest NBA trends. Tonight Aidan did not return home promptly to his mom’s home after school leaving a message with Elisa that he was meeting friends. His delay on going home made me think he really does need a male presence these days or at least and adult one. I try not to follow that thought into the rabbit hole. I had him call me when he got home and at first he was defensive -- that’s my boy -- but then accepting when I told him he needs to speak to an adult and keep his cell phone on. He seemed to get it; then again he is 13. This is just the start.

A couple of years ago I was heading to my apartment and Lydia was waiting for me. Due to circumstances which I forget she had to be home alone for about 30 minutes before I got home. I called her or we-chatted with her and she was terrified. Her fears were about the unseen and she was greatly relieved when I did get home. This fear of the unseen lasted for about two years. She would want someone to accompany her up and down the stairs in my small apartment. She would close the door to the bathroom before walking past. If one of her siblings or me were with her, then she was fine. None of us, not me, not her brother or sister ever made a big deal about it. And slowly she is growing out of it. Up and down the stairs without problem now. Can sleep with the hallway light off. No need to close the closet near the front door before walking past. She is 18 months Aidan’s junior, my Irish twin, but I guess like most girls her age more physically mature than the boys. She sprouted taller than Aidan 18 months ago and when I do laundry noticed she’s started wearing a training bra. There has been a few off the page classic single dad moments.

I’m not sure where the transition from tween to teen for my elders will lead. The ship has sailed, as they say. The compass is in their hands.