The High Priestess has a testosterone boost...

Yeah, yeah, I know what it sounds like, and I know what you think you know about me...but get your nasty little minds out of the pit, please.

It just so happens that I've had a little pang of guilt regarding the Grommet. I've spent so much time tending to the events in the girls' lives that I've all but neglected the fact that I have a third child of the male persuasion. Last night, as we were sacked out on the couch (after returning from yet ANOTHER trip to Los Angeles to visit the L A County Museum of Art for an Averie project), watching Harry Potter, for some reason known only to himself, the Grommet started snickering over something Jenny Weasley said. At various points, Caris and I looked over at him as he buried his laughing face in his blanket and continued his personal reverie. Caris glanced at me and said what most older sisters would say about their younger brother, "God, he's so annoying." His gigglefest continued for what seemed a scene and a half, maybe longer. All the while, neither Caris nor I could quite figure out what it was that was so funny. No matter. It was funny to Bryson. Again I glanced at Caris, who was shaking her head and saying, "He does this all the time, did you know?" That last question hit me like a ton of bricks. No, I didn't know. I felt bad that I didn't know. Shit.

A few days ago, Jenice and Jim took the Grommet out for his belated birthday dinner. With all the activity of late, he missed his date with them. It happened to be the day that Averie and I picked Caris up early from school to come with us to the last taping of "Ellen". Averie had been promising that she'd take Caris and we warned her that it wasn't very fun sitting in a dressing room and waiting for what could amount to five or six hours. She didn't care, she really wanted to go and Averie, sensing that she would not be "the chosen one" figured that she better make good on her promise to Caris. So, the three of us went happily off to the "glitz and glamour" while Bryson went to school, then after school, dinner with Aunty Jenny and Uncle Jim. The next day, Jenice called to get an update on whether Jeff had chosen Averie or not, we chatted about things for a bit, and then she started to talk to me about dinner with Bryson.

Jenice: "You know, you have the greatest kids in the world. You and Charlie have done such a wonderful job. They are all three, just amazing."

Me: "Thanks Jenice. That means the world to us....they ARE great kids."

Jenice: "Jim and I had a really terrific time with Bry last night. He's just such a great guy. We love him so much. He makes us laugh and you know how Jim thinks he's the best."

Me: "I know. And he loves you both too, very much."

Jenice: "We told him we weren't sure if he still wanted to be doing this annual birthday dinner with us. And he said, 'Are you crazy? what makes you ever think I wouldn't want to go to dinner with you guys? I love going to dinner with you guys! I love you.'

::::mutual laughing::::

Me: "The kids all love you very much. They look forward to the times we spend with you and none of us can wait until Thanksgiving."

Jenice: "He did mention that he was pretty sad that he didn't get to go to the Ellen show with you and the girls. He was pretty bummed out about that. He said he didn't even get asked. I think that hurt him."

More conversation ensued, but I really didn't hear much more after that last sentence. My heart was in a vice grip. Crap. I can completely understand the Grommet's feelings. So much has gone on for the girls lately, and he's pretty much been in the background. Mind you, he's had the front row seat for quite a lot. For a majority of his young life, his hockey ruled our world and we often dragged the girls kicking and screaming from one end of California to another for hockey games. But it hit me squarely as I listened to my sister-in-law's words "He was pretty bummed out about that. He said he didn't even get asked." Ouch. In all the excitement, I really hadn't taken his feelings into consideration. I felt like a creep. Some great Mom.

I made some lame excuse about how I knew he wouldn't be able to be still all caged up in a small room for hours and hours. And how everytime I ask if he wants to go with us to Los Angeles for acting workshops or photo shoots, he declines. Actually, he declines whenever we ask him to go anywhere anymore. This time, I just stopped asking. Note to self: Never stop asking. Sorry Grommie. I'll do better next time. I promise.