Nicknames

The boy yelled to me that he was off to play with his friends.

I yelled, “See you later, Baby!"

The Boy: “Mom?”

Me: “Yeah?”

The Boy: ( Pausing a moment before speaking, then quietly, respectfully) “Would you please not call me Baby anymore?”

Me: "Oh. Sure. Bye The Boy."

The Boy: (With relief) "Okay. Thanks, Mom. See you later!"

And out he goes to his friends.

Sigh. I hate it when they grow up.