Part One

 Why does the headache come with the cold? It is just a sign of getting old.
The son was up at half past six this morning, so very early for him. Today is the day his German examination is taking place. His final German examination, possibly the last one that he will ever need to take. Unless he decides to study law or language.

Sit at the table and wait for him to finish his preparations for the day. There is one bathroom in the flat, leave it free until he has left. He rushes about, picking his clothes out of the washing baskets that function as a wardrobe for him. It is not that he does not have a wardrobe to store his clothes in, it is just that he does not go to the bother of transferring the clothes from the washing basket into these shelves. He therefore wastes time rooting among the contents of the produce of the washing machine and clothes dryer.

When he has finished and is gone, go to the bathroom and shave away the stubble of the last few days. Consider that this is now a major change for the family, for when this is done his birthday will follow in July, and he will be of voting age. He will be his own man. There will be a relaxation of the rules of responsibility for his behaviour, he will be responsible for his own things.

That will be the end of Part One.