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Is there such a thing as being too married?

If there is … I think I am.

My family is spread out between the beach and summer camp, leaving me home alone this week, and I’ve come to learn I don’t do so well by myself.

Maybe I really am too married, or maybe I’m just too entrenched in family life to live on my own?

The first night by myself, I did OK. It was fun actually. I called a friend and we played nine holes — a rare treat. Later, we ate at that Mexican place over on Eastchester Drive. It was nice not having to call home or let anyone know where I was or when to expect me back. Like a mini-vacation, only in High Point.

But from there the week went steadily downhill. The next night, I came home to a ghostly, empty house and piddled around in front of the computer for a few hours. I read. Then, realizing I couldn’t sleep, I read some more. When I woke the next morning, I realized all I had eaten for dinner was a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream.

The next night, I jogged, played on the computer and read some more. For dinner, I ate one of those microwave burritos you see at truck-stops, and for the second night in a row, I couldn’t sleep.

It’s been so long since I’ve lived alone, I think I’ve forgotten how to sleep in an empty house.

Another thing, it’s too quiet. Eerily quiet.

Normally, our house positively churns with activity. On a normal day, I come home to mayhem. I’m greeted by music blasting from the rooms of my two teenagers (different songs of course). Younger children, friends of my 10-year-old, from all over the neighborhood are running in and out.

Some nights, we eat together as family, and other nights, my wife and I must drop off this kid and pick up that kid.

But tonight, there’s no banging, no family meal and no dropping off or picking up. There’s no music from upstairs. It’s just me and my truck-stop burrito, and we don’t make a lot of noise.

I think that’s part of the reason I can’t sleep: It’s just been too quiet here all evening.

Funny how when the kids are here, I long for a little peace and quiet.

So now I’m counting the days until everyone is back here under the same roof, so it will be noisy again. Maybe then I can get some sleep.

Contact Mac Lane at maclane@northstate.net