Nick's computer is less than functional. I smuggled over a wireless router to his condo awhile back, and, on occasion, I bring my laptop over for a play-date. Needless to say, Nick has come to be rather fond of having a laptop sitting around...and that was when his desktop was more than functional.

As last night drew to a close, Nick fished, "Do you think you'll be coming by tomorrow night?" I put down the People crossword that I was working on—the leaf which I tore (with permission) from an old magazine in the collapsing heap of time-passers at Parks Automotive on Friday while I waited for them to tally my bill—and looked to his eager little face.

"I'm leaving my laptop here," I offered my olive branch. I saw his immediate joy and then the fronted nonchalance. "Yes, I read through that question," I replied with a twinkle in my eye, and he began to smirk and duck his head with feigned embarrassment at being caught.


Ah, but it is good to be needed.