Yah. I think -- well, I hope -- the guy can get what "don't lay it on too thick" means, especially with the addition of "don't pressure him."

IF you apologize and have a conversation in which your son is noncommittal, it's still an opening for *more* conversation in the future. And I mean, all conversations are openings for more things to happen, some positive, some negative. Try and nurture the positive now, LW.