Enough to Miss Christmas

"We feel it's important for her to be around those her own age. She has a lot to learn from girls like you." I handed Julie a cranberry muffin. "Karen and I baked these," I said.

"She told me you were teaching her to cook. I wish we cooked more at home, like in old fashioned times. We eat a lot of frozen stuff because my mother works. Karen said her grandmother was a good cook too."

"Yes, she was."

"Karen was really sad that her Grandmother died. She took it hard. We talked about it and she cried. She thanked me and said talking to me helped, having someone who'd listen."

"You're a good friend, Julie." I wished Karen had discussed her mother's death with Julie but she obviously hadn't. It wasn't my place to inform Julie and embarrass my daughter.

Julie munched on her muffin. "Maybe it will help, her talking to Dr. Mason about her grandma's death. It helped me when Rusty got run over," she said, patting Woof.

Karen bounced into the room and I was delegated to secondary status in their animated conversation. Two muffins later they were off, and I was left with Timmy and Paul, and later giving lessons in kite flying at the beach.

Karen and Julie, met us there later in the morning. We all had a ball, managing to raise three kites to the heavens, challenging each other to climb the highest in the steady Atlantic breeze. In spite of the merriment, I was concerned Karen might be misleading her friend about my status. I understood Karen's reluctance to confide. Secrets were acceptable but I didn't want to see her reverting back to miss truths.

The opportunity to talk came before lunch, after Julie left and Paul and Timmy were chasing a ball down the beach. Karen and I sat in the sand, burying each other's feet.

"Julie is a nice girl. I'm pleased she's your friend."

"Me too," Karen answered.

"Do you confide in her?"

"Some stuff. I told her about Grandma dying and going to Dr. Mason. I let her walk Woof because she misses her dog and her parents won't get another one."

"Does she know about your mother?" I asked. Karen shrugged. "Does she think I'm your birth mother?"

Karen didn't want to answer. "I don't lie to her, if that's what you mean."

"I'm not accusing you, Karen. It's okay to have secrets. I'm just saying if you know someone assumes something incorrectly and you don't put them straight, it's misleading. It has a way of coming back and biting you. Julie's a good friend. She'll understand if you tell her there are things you're not comfortable talking about but don't lead her in a wrong direction."