I called Karolina today (Christmas). She answered and was willing to give the phone to Max. We have not spoken or seen in each other in 20 days. We exchanged “Merry Christmas” greetings, and then…

Me: “What did you get for presents?”

Max: “Oh, clothes”

Me: “That’s it? No toys?”

Max does not say anything.

Me: “What was your favorite present?”

Max: “Probably the clothes.”

This is very unlike Max. I know he got things besides clothes. Why won’t he share?

I notice he is in Karolina’s car with Elliot, so I ask: “What are you doing today? Where are you going?”

Max: “Oh, we’re going away for about a week.” (He’s probably not correct about “a week” because I’m supposed to see Elliot on Wednesday. Today is Saturday).

Me: “That’s nice. Where are you going?”

No answer from Max. Again, this is very unlike Max. He’s hiding things from me, and I don’t know why. After some silence…

Me: “Do you want to see the new Matrix movie with me when you get back?”

Max: “Yeah, sure.”

In the background, Elliot is trying to talk to me. Max points the phone at him. Elliot says something about a Paw Patrol present he got. But Max points the phone back to himself before I could converse with Elliot. The whole conversation makes me sad. I am guessing Max has been coached to not share anything about his life with me.

UPDATE: I think perhaps Max did not want to say anything of substance because Karolina was in the car with him.