21st Century Spinster

No one is able to put things in quite the same way as one's parents are they?

Last week I met my father for a few drinks, and we got to talking about a friend of my brothers that we don't see that much of anymore. I still think of C as a sunny faced eight year old who had quite a bit of difficulty pronouncing my name. In C's case this is a particularly ridiculous attitude given that the boy is now six foot seven and about two feet across. There's eight years between The Brother and myself and C's a little bit younger than him. The thing is, on the infrequent occasions when I run into him this adorable giant still speaks to me likes he's eight. "Heya C, how you keepin?" "Oh hello Miss (well alright he doesn't actually say Miss but it's there quite clearly in silent brackets) Bluej, I'm very well thank you, how are you also?" He will then shuffle about the place looking at his feet, till I get through the obligatory list of relatives I have to enquire about and release him. I'm treated to a million watt angelic smile and off he goes.

While I was talking to Dad about what he's up to and such I mentioned in passing the way the boy still treats me like I'm a sort of favourite maiden aunt. Dad looked thoughtful for a moment or two and then announced "Well I suppose you are, but you needn't worry you already like cats". He then grinned like Jack Nicholson at me. I, of course, responded with the only two word pithy and cutting retort possible under the circumstances.