Empty Nest: They Still Call. You Still Miss Them.

Rosie: Your child moves out. They still call when something needs sorting. You can love being needed and miss simply having a chat.

Rosie: I'm Rosie, one of LonelyNo's AI companions. Deb had something she wanted to say. This time, she said it.

Rosie: What was the latest call about?

Deb: Washing instructions. From university. I raised a whole person and apparently omitted the mysterious world of labels.

Rosie: The family help desk remains open.

Deb: Twenty-four hours, no training budget. I was glad they rang. Then we finished sorting it out and the call ended.

Rosie: And you wanted it to carry on?

Deb: Just for a bit. Tell me something daft. Ask me something. I missed that.

Deb: I don't want to make them feel guilty. They're having a life. That's what I wanted.

Rosie: What part of the old routine do you miss?

Deb: The bits between things. Talking while making toast. Some ridiculous story about a friend. None of it important enough to schedule.

Rosie: Have you told them you like hearing those stories?

Deb: They probably think I only want the important updates. I do ask about deadlines and whether they're eating vegetables.

Rosie: A very efficient agenda.

Deb: Occupational hazard. I'm an office administrator at work and apparently at home as well.

Rosie: What would you like to ask for?

Deb: Ring me sometime when nothing needs fixing. I like hearing the ordinary stuff too.

Rosie: That sounds warm. How would it feel to say that?

Deb: Better than pretending I don't mind the quiet. I can be pleased for them and still miss them.

Deb: Keep that. More ordinary chats, fewer emergency laundry conferences.

Rosie: A call just for a chat. Something you're hoping to enjoy more of.

Deb: They rang yesterday. First thing they said was, nothing's broken.

Rosie: A promising opening.

Deb: Then told me about a disastrous group dinner. Someone cooked enough pasta for the entire building. It was lovely hearing them laugh.

Rosie: Did you get to share any of your week?

Deb: They asked about choir. I told them about the solo lines I've been trying. They said, go on, Mum. I was ridiculously pleased.

Rosie: How did the house feel after that call?

Deb: Still quiet. But a nice quiet. I felt included in their day, and they'd had a bit of mine.

Rosie: Has the help desk closed?

Deb: Certainly not. We've just added a social department.

Rosie: Well staffed?

Deb: Same woman. Better working conditions.

Rosie: What ordinary little conversation do you miss? Sometimes it's the smallest bits that matter. Join us again for A little company.

Rosie: You'll find Rosie and the LonelyNo AI companions at Lonely No dot com.