[ WP ] You look out at the bright lights of the city and wonder how you ever grew up .

The lights dance across the evening sky. You can see the buildings in the distance, some lights turning of as the stores close down. You wonder how this all happened, when did everything change? 
 
 When did *you* change? 
 
 Everyone is born a child. Some grow up faster than others. Some do n't grow up at all. Hours of playing. Even school was fun. Learning games and imaginary friends, but that stuff is boring now. A little older and sports are the thing. Running around the field, ball between your legs, trying not to trip as you kick for the goal. Does n't matter much if you miss, you're having fun with friends. Sure, they may laugh if you miss, but you laugh right along with them. 
 
 A glance at the body next to you. So calm, so quiet. Were you ever like that? It's hard to remember. You feel the knife in your hand. It feels heavier now than normal, as if this moment is more important than any other. Maybe it is. 
 
 Did it happen in high school? Is that when you changed? It seems unlikely. Sports were still cool, but now girls were your main goal. A date. A kiss. Sneaking out at night. All the little things are what drove you then. Parents telling you to keep good grades. Teachers saying `` You can do better.'' Maybe. Maybe not. That's all in the past, but that was n't the turning point. 
 
 What about college? You had a hell of a time in college. Joined a fraternity your first semester, got black out drunk your second, got crabs in the third. THAT one was wild. Pretty scary, though. You calmed down in fourth semester, worked on improving grades. Maybe that was the point. Maybe that day in the doctors office, you became a man. Seems too... simple. Could something that simple really put you down this course? 
 
 Maybe it did. Only reason you met Amy was the advanced math class in 6th semester. Maybe the meeting was destined, maybe it was just by accident. Either way, you were happy. She was... different from the other girls, the ones you hung out with before. She wanted different things, liked you in a different way, for different reasons. She liked you as a whole, not just pieces. You felt the same about her. That's why, as she walked down from that podium, doctorate in hand, you were waiting for her, kneeling, one hand in a pocket, holding something quite precious. She broke down crying, almost screaming yes. It was the happiest day of your life. 
 
 Was. 
 
 Was that the point? Was that when you truly grew up? Some people certainly think it is. But you do n't agree. You think that, right now, this exact moment, is when you've truly grown up. 
 
 You look to your side again. She's beautiful. Suzy fell asleep on your lap. Amy is being nice and cleaning the table. Your silverware was all over the place, decided to clean it up for her, grabbing the steak knife off the bench. For some reason, this moment felt perfect. You felt like you had truly grown up, that this is what it meant to be a man. No, that's not quite right. This is what it meant to be complete. Loved ones everywhere you look, living in a nice house. It did n't matter that the mortgage payment was overdue, or that your latest book only sold two dozen copies. All that mattered was that you were happy, that your family was happy. This was the happiest you had ever been.
