"That's the spirit. And if it helps you feel better, I like being woken up like that. If you weren't my son, I'd be asking for a repeat sometime. You're gonna make a girl very happy one day," Mom said, smiling at me. "But excuse me. I need the bathroom now."

I was stunned. Did Mom just say what I think she did? She squeezed by me, letting me stew in my bewilderment.

My thoughts were still a confused mess when she reemerged from the bathroom. But Mom acted like nothing was out of the ordinary.

"So, you hungry? Want to get some brunch? I saw a promising place on...