I got brave today and asked Chris why he's so worried about what Pam's son wants to do. At first he tried to say he was just worried about a friend, then he realized that explanation just wasn't going to cut it.

He feels responsible. Craig is Tommy's son and Chris was Tommy's best friend; more like a brother to him than just a pal. And even though he wasn't a part of Craig's life for his first eighteen years, he feels he has some responsibility toward him. This time I bit my tongue and didn't point out that he feels more strongly toward Craig than he does to Mikey. I am never going to understand Chris' position about the boy but I also realize I can't push him into a relationship either. That, he has to want to do on his own.

As much as I'd like to argue and tell him he doesn't owe Craig anything, I really can't. If I told him that, I may as well tell him he doesn't have any responsibility toward Lily or Connor. But at least when it comes to Lily and Connor, he knows where his boundaries are. With Craig, he's really not sure. And even though he wants to take the boy aside and talk some sense into him (more for Pam's sake, no doubt. Chris is hardly one to talk when it comes to ditching school to follow dreams) he is worried it will make things worse.

So he feels stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

But at least I know what's bothering him and that's one step further than we've been in quite a while.