Head Out On The Highway

The all-time strangest international call I've received yet:

Oldest Son:
So hey, guess what I'm doing.

I'm recalling a recent call that began with, "So, I'm in the hospital" and ended with "H1N1" (he was in the hospital for testing, they quarantined him to his apartment).

Me: In the hospital having needles poked into you?

Oldest Son: Nope. I'm doing 81 miles per hour on a Texas highway". He lives in New Mexico

For the benefit of those just tuning in, my oldest son who is 21 years old struggles with some pretty heavy depression moments (which luckily seem to be decreasing in frequency as he ages). While he was in high school, I lived in constant fear of what I thought was inevitable...
This year, he had a very dramatic breakup and for a few months now we've been riding a very strange, calm wave in anticipation of breaking up on shore.
He never mentions her.


First thought in my head is this call is a goodbye, he intends to drive insanely fast and crash his car.

But he sounds energized.

Me: Wwwhyyyy are you doing 81 mph on a highway in Texas?

He's going to see his friend for his birthday. He's fine. He's excited about this little break so it's safe to nag...

"Are you sure your truck is in good enough condition to be doing those speeds? How long since you've check the tread on those tires? Isn't it illegal over there to drive while talking on the phone? Do you have a bluetooth on?! Do you have any money in case you break down? What about the CV joints, are they doing ok? What is the speed limit there, anyway?!"

I'm nothing if not thorough,

even at nagging.

Do you think he'll call me on the way back home?