Talking to a Teenager

I reach for subjects of possible interest:

*Sugarfina. This is a new store that sells absurdly overpriced haute candy. Like, a trillion dollars for a small packet of gummy bears. Who doesn't want to talk about candy? The teen next to me rolls his eyes. "That store is ridiculous, and I would never go there." I consider the money I myself have just dropped on a Sugarfina purchase. I change the subject.

*Katy Perry's new single. My teen says: "I have not listened to Katy Perry in like twelve years." So, on to Cardi B: "She's over. There are stories that she drugged and assaulted people."

*Legalizing marijuana in NY. My teen: "It's uncool because the illegal drug market helps many dealers stay afloat. If we legalize marijuana, those dealers will go under, and we need to protect them."

*Ted Bundy. Here's a subject where my teenager and I have common ground. "He was handsome, so he got away with stuff," says my friend. "He was caught and he actually escaped. I think he escaped more than once." And: "Sometimes, when he would talk about himself, he would use the third person."

At last, my friend and I have reached an unspoken truce. I have so many questions. No longer on contentious, tricky terrain, I feel I could go on forever. I make a mental note: One day, this will be a standard dinner-table routine with my *own* kid....

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