Skid has been having a rough time dealing with post-HS reality. H called and asked if I would mind meeting her for dinner to see if there was anything I could do for her.

I offered to meet her halfway, but she said she'd drive to my city. I arrived a little early to the restaurant, knowing that she has a habit of showing up late whenever she's met her dad and I in the past. The owner of the restaurant knows H and I, so she came over to chat with me. We were in the middle of the conversation when skid showed up. Five minutes early. Shocked the hell out of me.

During the course of the meal, skid completely opened up to me. Talking about her fears, her new BF, her money worries, her GBM (who recently fractured her pelvis and is now back home), the way her BFF is leaving her in the cold about their plans to get a place together and generally all things that freak out an 18 y/o after HS.

She was so open to listening to me, I didn't lecture or judge her and was able to give her some sound advice regarding finding a place to live now, how her experience with her current job is opening up a door for a second part time job and her plans for school.

She seemed much more relaxed after the meal and even offered to pay for her half (I declined). We made plans to see each other in about a month or so.

This was the first time she and I spent time alone together in years. It's nice to see a turn around like this as I never thought we'd get along without her dad around. It seems we gel more when it's just the two of us.

I can safely say, even after all the horrible years, there is hope!!