The dishes is the least of it

I came home and the kitchen was wonderfully clean.

But he wasn't feeling well and didn't want to go to school.

Then he wanted to talk.

It seems that he has been feeling badly about being a taker. He hasn't been giving anything back to the world. All of his plans, they have all been about what he wants. Even his technological college plans. It's all about him and being able to make money. He's been thinking that he doesn't like this he thinks he should do something more meaningful.

He wants to go live and work at a house in Scotland where they help families in crisis. The youth who work there are volunteers, but they get a small allowance. Of course he would have to pay to get there and back, but he has that much money. It would be meaningful. It would push him in new directions. It would allow him to grow.

He's done lots of research. He has the description of the work and the characteristics of the people they want to work there.

"Evan, it looks like you spend a lot of time doing things like cleaning the "loo" and mopping."

"I don't mind. I like to be busy."

"Uh huh. And you are supposed to play games with the children during the day and play bingo and cards with the parents at night."

"I like to play games."

"It says that they need non-judgmental people who can be supportive of others regardless of their circumstances."

"I can do that."

"Evan. Remember how much you hated working the grocery store? You said you had absolutely no respect for any of the customers."

"Well, they were hicks!"

"Okay, what if you get to Scotland and it turns out that the families in crisis seem to you to just be hicks with a different accent?"

"Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

"Do I think you are the kind of person who does not respect people because they are poor and uneducated? Evan you are wonderful in many ways, but the description of what they are looking for just doesn't sound like you. Look: it says that you have to be happy living in a rural setting."

"Well I live here." "This is a small town, and you hate living in this town. How will you cope with living in the country?" "Well, this is a town full of hicks and that will be Scotland."

"Evan. They have mud and a pig."

"You don't think I am capable of doing this? I can do all those things."

And the fact that various deadlines for college application materials is tomorrow and he has not met them has nothing to do with it of course.

Oh and one more thing...the drug dealing boyfriend is back in town and he came by to pick Evan up at about 11:00.

He has counseling tomorrow. Maybe she can talk to some sense into him.