""Stop yelling!" said Eric, when Duncan Blitz tapped on the guest room door to see whether his son was awake.  "What time do you want to leave?" Duncan whispered.
"I told you to stop yelling."
"I'm whispering," Duncan whispered.

Duncan knew better than to watch his watch while Eric did not shower, did not appear for coffee, did not load his duffel into the Prius.  "We're leaving in 15 minutes?" he asked.  "20," affirmed the young man.

Duncan zipped the duffel while Eric drank coffee, asked twice whether there was any cereal ("just oatmeal" twice), and grabbed the bag ("is this your mongolia bag?") while resisting the urge to ask whether Eric planned on carrying it on.

"Do you have your glasses, ID and cellphone?"  he asked as he started the car.  "High winds today, you'll bump around on takeoff, would you like a 'mother's little helper?'"  (enthusiasm from the passenger side).

I'm proud of you, said Duncan.  You're paying your rent, you look great and seem very centered.  The best I've seen you in 10 years.  "I'm unhappy," said Eric.  "Do you have goals?" "Yes."
driving.
driving.
After the Big I, Duncan said,
"A plateau in life can feel boring, but it can be the transition to the next exciting thing."

"I'm glad you're not selling the apartment in NY," said Eric.  and: "I hate the doormen.  They're so slow to open the door and I'm always in a hurry.  But I can't push the door open in their face."
"That's a First World Problem."
"I live in the First World."

Departures, Right Lane; "Which airlines?"
"American?"
Here.  When you hop out, I'll give you your Record Locator and an Ativan.  "Please give it to me now, it's cold out." (in pajamas, boots, a coat.  hat and glasses.)
Duncan Blitz gave his son a tiny white pill (glug), $50 bucks, and the reservation code that Eric did not need.

"I'm going to check my bag, it's too much trouble."
Duncan hopped out to see that Eric was all set.  His son tipped the Skycap and gave his dad a hug.
"Have a good trip!" said Dunc.
(and turning to the car, murmured, "fly safely."  He had already asked, "text me when you're home.")

Duncan Blitz put away the unused towels in his quiet house.  He touched his worry stone, a gift from his son, and noted how soothing it felt and how nice it looked.  He tried to remember what they had been laughing at in the car,  something funny that brought them together.

BREAKFAST BEFORE A FLIGHT:
Coffee        0 calories
no cereal     0 calories
rolls, coffee, stuff to put on the rolls, stuff to eat with the rolls, other stuff
other stuff to drink

LUNCH: Dallas-Forth Worth Airport
burrito
beer
coffee
candy bar
water
coffee

DINNER: New York City
is there any cereal?

CALORIES:  1850