Enough to Miss Christmas

"What secrets? Is it your so-called honesty sessions?"

"They're not so-called, they are honest discussions between us. I agreed to tell Karen the truth about any questions she wants to ask. She agreed not to lie to me either. There's a no-tattle caveat attached so we can be quite candid with each other. We also agree to almost never to cop out of answering."

"Is that wise with a twelve-year-old girl?"

"There you go accusing me again! God, I'm just trying to establish a relationship with my daughter!"

"To the exclusion of your husband; the girl's father?"

"Look, it started out as truthful answers instead of 'the-stork-brought-you' shit about the birds and bees question. Girl talk. It's evolved into a sounding board for both of us. That's all."

"Just allow me to offer a word of caution."

"Caution all you want but our 'truth' talks allowed Karen to finally talk about her mother's suicide. You wouldn't have us as patients otherwise."

He smiled. "Thanks for the business. I'm not saying I have a problem with Karen confiding in you. It's just I'd hate to see you dumping your problems on a twelve-year-old." Once again, the bastard had a point I didn't want to admit.

I knew I had to tell Paul how I responded to Karen's medical needs while he was away, but the more I thought about it the more difficulty I had finding the words to explain what occurred. First I needed to tell Karen I felt obligated to tell her father about the constipation procedure. I caught her out in the back yard tossing a ball to Woof. She seemed to understand.

"Did I mess up telling Dr. Mason what happened? I wasn't going to but it just sort of came out."

"No, honey. You did nothing wrong."

"I mentioned what we did. I figured he'd nod and say ah like he usually does, and move on. Instead he made me spend nearly the entire hour discussing it. He acted funny about it and wanted details. If I'd known he'd do that, I'd never have mentioned it. It was embarrassing. I kept telling him I practically made you do it. I admitted it was kind of gross but it worked. I'm sorry if I got you in trouble."

"Don't be. If anyone is at fault, it's me."

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong. It worked like you said it would and you didn't make me take medicine."

"I don't think I should have even mentioned the enema."

"Why not? It's what Grandma did. Why would he find fault with you doing the same thing? That's what mothers do, for heaven's sake. If he has a fit about your doing it, I'll do it myself next time. I know how to now that you showed me and it works." I didn't know what to say. She continued. "I guess I understand you need to tell Dad. I won't have to be there, will I? I'd get all red in the face. I mean, it is embarrassing."