Sunday, October 09, 2005

II

This is post 1 of Section II. To begin at the beginning, go here.

“Hello Daddy?”
The tearful voice. Why, why had he answered, Bennett wondered.
“How are you?”
Not so good since this call began—if anyone really wanted to know, he thought.
“Is Mom there?”
“No. She’s out at her PFLAG meeting, you know.” Worse luck.
“Good. I don’t want her to worry.”
No, just me, Bennett thought. I’m expendable.
Then, with false brightness, “Have you heard about this new book, ARE YOU AN EMOTIONAL JUNKY?”
Bennett made a faint sound somewhere between sighing and choking.
“Now, Daddy, I know you hate those kind of books, but you could learn something from them.”
“But Chloe, I have. I really have.”
“What?”
“I’ve learned that our culture is comprised of semi-literate, hopelessly narcissistic suckers for snake oil.”
“But see, that’s exactly what the book talks about, Daddy. Denial-avoidance. You’re like a—just a minute, page 73—here it is: ‘a thin sheet of ice over a molten sea of volcanic lava.’”
“Is that physically possible?”
“Well, that’s describing the anorexic woman’s father. But you can see the parallel, can’t you? And by the way, I’m not semi-literate, thank you very much.”
“Of course you’re not. I didn’t mean—“
“That’s another thing the book talks about. Page 45: ‘The oblique put-down, or “side-swiping.”’ Classic behavior for the denial-avoidant. As is denying the side-swipe when confronted.”
She was sounding a lot more cheerful. Bennett sighed heavily, then tried another tactic. “Just a minute, Fafnir,” he said, in an audible aside. “Chloe, this is all fascinating. I probably underestimated the volume. But I’m afraid you’ll have to read me the section on sarcasm later.” He raked his fingernails along the table next to the phone. “That’s Fafnir asking for a walk.”

Continue

5 Comments:

Blogger Tom & Icy said...

And when the dog comes up really wanting a walk... hmmmm. Ed seems to not like anyone. Wonder how he feels about Fahir? Woof! What a recluse!

8:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That girl talks like Blochalela!

9:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very astute of you, Dog Face Girl, and if I were Ed I would not want to talk to her either, when she's in this vein.

10:07 PM  
Blogger Doug The Una said...

Denial and avoidance are grotesquely undervalued in our society.

4:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not by the men I know, Doug.

6:50 AM  

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