My son and I disagree about Tom Brady’s girlfriend.

All right, not every story has to be something profound. Maybe this one can be considered a bit dirty.

I’ve reached the age where a spontaneous decision to go out fails for unexpected reasons. The other day I had a friend call me — he was with his family not far from where I live. “Great, I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I said after looking up Google Maps. Then I realized that both of our family’s cars were being used — by our two sons. The oldest one is eighteen, and his younger brother is sixteen. So I had to wait for one of them to return.

I am now also able to discuss “adult” topics with them. It happened naturally. They matured, and on many nights we find ourselves debating politics, money, social issues, and relationships. Of course, I still have to carefully navigate some more intimate issues, not so much because of the “intimacy” element but because it’s not easy to explain some of the experiences and insights a man develops after four decades of living. Plus, every life path is unique. I’ve been together with my wife for almost twenty-five years. We met when we were very young; we married young. That I have an eighteen-year-old kid when I’m only forty-three is probably uncommon. There are pluses and minuses.

Anyway, my sons often message me the Instagram posts from the people they follow — politicians, athletes, and various people of influence. My oldest son recently shared — more than once — how Tom Brady is dating Irina Shayak.