H picked up kids this morning and did not reference email exchange at all- so I'm just going with - "I answered his question".
As instructed by DB coach - I tried to make more conversation, talked about how D6's reading is going, Halloween scheduling, soccer game etc (all kids stuff - I really need to open it up to some other topic). Our exchange usually takes about 2 minutes. I think I managed to stretch it to 5.
I did ask him if he would take me, the kids and his Mom to the airport when we leave for our Disneyland trip in a couple of weeks and pick us up as well (DB coach approved of this). He said yes without hesitation.
I notice that while H is usually pretty grim these days he does seem to mirror my tone somewhat when we interact - so I am really going to have push the positive attitude, maybe it will rub off :-). I also think if I am going to fulfill DB coach's instructions to increase conversation, I am going to really have to work at asking some open ended questions so that he says something other than "ok". Small talk is not my strong suit.
On the plus side - while I was tense ahead of time (as always), I actually didn't feel the usual swell of emotion when I actually saw him. That was nice.
