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Turning Points for Better and Worse
Facing Anorexia, Dishonesty and Separation
An Excerpt
By Cheryl Dellasega, Ph.D
She eventually relinquished the phone. I wanted her to talk, but that was not going to happen for another three hours.
Finally I announced my allegiance to her and her prominent place in my life and said: "Neither of us are going anywhere till you talk to me."
I called in "sick" for work. We ended up talking and crying -- it was a truly quality-filled day. She shared that she was five months pregnant and arranging for an abortion, but her ride had canceled and she'd wanted more money from her father to get a taxi.
We prayed together and agonized over every possibility. She was set on getting an abortion -- with or without me. I love her. I offered my support and dutifully drove her and held her hand. That was a weird day emotionally and mentally for both of us, but we ended up bonding.
While we still have to get beyond our emotional scars and rebuild our "trust level," she confides more in me now and says she's sure learned her lesson and doesn't want to repeat any more "stupidity" (her word). She comes home on time and we negotiate better. I take the time to iron out all details with her -- you see, I announced to my second husband that he no longer has any excuses for gallivanting and he must be the husband/stepdad we discussed on our dates because I quit my job outside the home and will do whatever necessary to put my kids first, at least for this summer. I may have to resort to a part-time job after school resumes, but Melody and her brother are more worthwhile and important to me than that nice retirement plan I'd accumulated.
Lori Stafford, Florida
Read part two of this excerpt here.
