My three-way gchat with Bob & Cathie today
Bob: Son. How are you? I have been so worried about you since reading your blog post.
Eli: Oh dad, don't worry about me. I'm doing really well actually. Just trying to be better about talking about my struggles.
Cathie: How's my boy?!?!?! [12 different emoticons]
Eli: Hi mom.
Cathie: [5 more emoticons]
Bob: Do you know what the signs of depression are? Loss of appetite? Increased appetite? Loss of interest? Suicide?
Cathie: Whatever you do don't commit suicide!
Eli: Seriously guys. I'm not going to commit suicide.
Cathie: Do you need us to come down there and get you!? Or could I just send a Valentine's Day package instead?
Eli: Mom, those aren't even close to being in the same category of alternatives. But you don't need to do either. I appreciate the thought.
Bob: Irritability? Decreased concentration?
Cathie: Of course I have to send a Valentine's package!!! You're my little sweety pie!!! [6 more emoticons]
Bob: Do you have any friends? Are you and Daniel getting along? Is he depressed too?
Eli: Nobody is depressed. Seriously. Everything is fine. Yes I have friends.
Cathie: Can you name them for us?
Bob: . . .
Eli: Are you guys questioning me? Do YOU have any friends?
Cathie: I have lots of friends! I'm popular! Just like the song in Wicked! Dad has friends too but not as many as me.
Bob: It's ok that you don't have any friends because you can always count on B O B and momma C!
Eli: Dad, have you been watching MTV again?
Bob: I got to know how JZ and Pink and all my other peops are doing!
Cathie: Is Daniel doing ok? Can you hang out with his friends?
Eli: Daniel and I have the same friends. And yes, he's doing very well. He doesn't get as stir crazy as I do.
Cathie: That's because you are high maintenance and he's what you kids call "hang loose." [several more emoticons].
Bob: Can Daniel help you make friends and be a little less high maintenance?
Eli: Guys. I appreciate the concern. I may be high maintenance but I DO have friends. Your son has friends.
Cathie: Ok. Wink wink. We believe you.
Bob: Alright son. Sure you have friends. Suuuuuuuure.
Eli: I think I'm being cyberbullied right now.
Cathie: [crying emoticon] What are you going to do? Cry about it?!?!?!
Bob: cyberbully definition
Cathie: . . . ?
Eli: . . . ?
Eli: Dad, are you trying to google something? You know you can't just type your search term in the chat box.
Bob: Is google the same as search?
Cathie: Oh brother. You see what I have to live with? You need to type it in the google search box Bob.
Bob: Is that the one on the top?
Cathie: Here. Let me do it.
Eli: Wait. Are you guys in the same room?
Cathie: Yes.
Eli: Why are you gchatting with each other then? That's not even lazy. That's MORE work.
Bob: This e-technology stuff is great. Even 5 years ago we couldn't have communicated like this.
Eli: Ummm . . .
Cathie: We need to go. We're teaching English classes tonight to the refugees. But we love you!!!!! [heart emoticon]
Bob: TTYL
Cathie: XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXxxOOXxoxXOO!!!!
Bob: Be safe.
Cathie: And remember, no one likes a frowny face. Change it to a smile! Turn that frown right upside down and smile all the while!
Bob: And take a Prozac if you need it.
Cathie: Only if you need a good time.
Bob: Love you.
Cathie: HUGS!!!!
Eli: Love you, too. And as usual, gchatting with you has been . . . confusing.
~It Just Gets Stranger
Gchat with Bob & Cathie

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