he doesn't listen

 My 18-year-old son

Left to go camping

Without even saying goodbye

Perhaps because

I kept bugging him about chairs

And sleeping pads

And food

And he was a little bit late

And a little bit anxious

He doesn’t listen

Which feels like rejection

Even though it isn’t

I have too much stuff already

You’re going CAR CAMPING —

You can take whatever you want

He takes the sleeping pad 

But leaves the chairs

And carries a white plastic bag with 8 Cokes

even though I told him

Where the cooler was

Later (about the time I figure 

he is meeting up with his friends) 

I text:

Sorry, I was just trying to help.  Hope you have a  

great time!!!! (tent emoji; canoe emoji)

We have so much shit that I’m taking your car

We have a grill and steaks and shit

Haha!  So you’re taking two cars?

Yes

I want to reply one more time

and say

I told you so

But I don’t