"Perhaps the reason was how you remembered your early years, Sarah Jeanne." That was one place where I felt comfortable.

The doctor segued into my upbringing after that episode. I made no bones about living a happy childhood. I was delighted to tell tales of the fun we had as a family. He seemed to find this almost amusing, as if he was searching for an untruth, major troubles I was burying that needed addressing. I railed on about our outings, games and special occasions until I caught him doodling on his pad.

"Am I boring you, Doctor?" I asked, embarrassing him.

"No. Sorry, Sarah. It just seems too idyllic."

"Do you think I'm lying?"

"No. I'm sure you look back on your early life as if it was delightful. I presume it will be a wonderful template for raising your new family."

"Karen seems to agree with you. She quizzed my mother in detail about my childhood before she passed away. Karen wants to mirror everything she heard."

"You're to be congratulated, to date at least. She seems perfectly happy with her home life. Some children I've treated resent the duties and family togetherness. Karen relishes it, or so it seems."

The doctor bolstered my confidence that my relationship with Karen was having positive results. His compliment was the first from an outsider. The chance for a second opinion came a few days later. On Saturday Karen's friend Julie stopped by early for a trip to the park but Karen was in the shower. She offered to wait outside with our dog Woof who was to join them, but I asked her into the kitchen. Julie was a sweet girl and Karen's closest friend. I had several minutes alone with her as Karen takes long showers. I never complained about her water usage. It was a phase of her age. I remembered being chided by my parents over my gallons of wasted water.

"You and Karen seem to get along very well," I said, fishing for information.

"She's the greatest. It's like I've known her years. Your daughter is the nicest person I know and she is super smart! I bet she takes after you. You both look alike too."

I didn't correct Julie but it told me Karen hadn't admitted I was her stepmother.

"She's so modest about her brains. If I was that smart, I'd brag all the time."

"I'm sure you teach Karen as well. She's new here and didn't get out in the world much in Newton."

"There's lots of stuff she didn't know because you home schooled her. She's a whiz in the classes we have together. We're taking this advanced placement course. Karen could like be in high school."




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