An Alien Inhabitation

The weather was unseasonable here in Chicago over the holiday weekend. Unlike the Memorial Day Monsoon we usually entertain, it was sunny, with the temperature hovering around the 80’s. So we took advantage of the climate gorgeousity and hosted friends for a cookout. These friends have a daughter the same age as Rock Star. She was adopted from Russia at age four, and she and Rock Star were inseparable buddies during their early childhood years. But now that they are both 14 and have hormones raging throughout their veins, it is pretty clear to me that they have developed crushes on one another. And to watch Rock Star’s behavior around someone with whom he is smitten is to watch…….well, another teenager completely! Might I even call him a New and Improved Rock Star?? A Rock Star who is infinitely more polite and better dressed.

“Anna’s coming, right??” He queried us early in the day, and as soon as he heard the affirmative, he went about cleaning his room, an undertaking he has not volunteered for since…………well, never. Moments before the guests arrival, he executed, with his sister’s suggestions, a complete physical transformation. He changed into a Hollister polo shirt (that I’d forgotten he owned) instead of wearing his usual old t-shirt, and doused himself with Axe Body Spray. Gone was the ever-present beanie, and his hair (which I haven’t actually viewed in 8 or 9 months) was neatly combed.

During the entertaining, Rock Star offered to help his father with the grilling, pulled out chairs for the guests, and even invited his younger brother to jump on the trampoline with him and Anna. He insisted that everyone cut ahead of him in line at the Ice Cream Sundae Bar, and then declined extra whip cream, to “Save it for somebody else.” He was courteous, civil and well-mannered, gracious and helpful. And he smelled fabulous! Super Hubs and I threw each other frequent puzzled glances that said, “My God, who is this boy, and what did he do with our Real Son??”

I think Anna was impressed. I know I was. The problem is, the New and Improved Rock Star walked out the door when Anna went home, and our Regular Rock Star remained. Which is okay, I guess. We do love him to death. But I’m left wondering…….is there a way I can move Anna in with us for the remainder of Rock Star’s teenage years? Just a thought.