So, it finally happened. Little Boy has grown up and flown the coop. I thought we would spend some Mama-Baby time buying his supplies but before I could get around to it, The Son had driven out with his girlfriend to get everything he needed for the trip. He managed to get a Uniqlo down filled coat for half price and a Herschel backpack for half price. When I saw his packing, I understood why he did not go shopping with me. I would have got him a backpack from Chong Pang Market.
I am too auntie already.
I worried a little. Just like when The Daughter flew off to Israel, I had a strong urge to lock The Son up in a cupboard to keep him safe. I guess making my then 13 year old son navigate with maps, and pick restaurants, as well as book train tickets paid off. The Son is a well seasoned traveller. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to book a flexi ticket from King's Cross to Cambridge, when he opened his mouth and explained to me why he paid 10 pounds more for a flexi ticket. The urge to lock him up in a cupboard to keep him safe, melted away.
In the car, on the way to the airport, I worried again. I scared myself with thoughts of gay rape. So, I opened my mouth to tell my son not to walk out late in the night, and if any of his Professors made a move on him, he was to tell us. In the past, such things happen to women. These days, men are not spared. My family laughed at me.
Then, I worried about him getting robbed. We booked a flight that would arrive in the morning so that he would not need to spend the night in London. The big cities like Paris and London are where unsuspecting travellers get pickpocketed. I wanted him safe in Cambridge as soon as possible. Later, when he has gotten more acclimatised to the new environment, he can explore London with his friends. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that he should split up his money and place it in different places so that if his wallet got picked, he would still have cash stored away. Just then, he opened his mouth and told me that he had split his cash up 3 ways.
Then, he strapped on his chest bag (to keep valuables close to his chest, and under his coat), and walked through the Departure Gate. He did not even look back.
Before I knew it, he had arrived at his lodgings in Cambridge and was all settled in. I worried about his lunch and he said that the meat pie he had bought was very good. His lodgings look clean and comfortable. He even knew how to do a bedbug check because every time our family books into a hotel, he helps me do a bedbug check.
He has his own room with ensuite bathroom, but he shares a kitchen with 5 others. His lodgings look super Hogwart-sy from outside, but inside, it is all quite modern.
I think my son will be fine.
