Benjamin has been on an even keel for a while now. I do not take it for granted. Amnesia has not set in. 

 

The other day, though, he was a mess. He raged at someone he hasn't seen in ten years, and hurled blame at imaginary circumstances. When I tried to ask about it, I was told in explicit terms to mind my own business. 

 

I was surprised. I sent out an SOS to his siblings, who are traveling and in different time zones, and yet two of them called. They tried cajoling him in ways that often work. This time they did not. 

 

Eventually, someone realized that it was about the new video game. What was supposed to be fun was making him furious. 

 

Later that evening, he spoke quietly. 

 

"I think I should uninstall it." I tried not to leap up with my enthusiasm, but simply agreed. The next morning, he elaborated. 

 

"I regret playing the Lego game. I would rather make a PowerPoint." 

 

I felt as if I was in the presence of spiritual growth. He understood the effect the game had on him, and didn't like it. 

 

Because it is so hot this week, he and two friends met for a cold drink instead of a walk. They laughed about their scapegoat, who is a dog named Jenkins, and talked about summer plans to go tubing at the lake. 

 

It turns out that laughing with people he cares about is more fun than a video game.