Conversations with Jessica, illustrated
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On Not Being Normal
“I’m not normal,” Jessica says matter-of-factly. “I am not like other children.” We are at Wheatfield’s, having a snack. This is one of her favorite places to ambush me with questions about why her life is the way it is. You’d think I’d get a clue and start saying, No, not Wheatfield’s! But I don’t….
On visiting the eye doctor
Picking Jessica up from school: Jessica: Why are you wearing sunglasses? Me: Eye doctor today. He put drops in. You know, to dilate my pupils. So now the sun hurts my eyes. Jessica: Did you sit still for the eye drops? Me: Yes, I did. Jessica: Did you cry? Or whine? Me: No, I sucked…
On how the weather is
“It’s going to rain today,” Jessica says. “Yes, it sure looks like it,” I agree. “I just wanted to make sure you know.” “Um, okay,” I say. I am fully capable of reading a weather forecast or looking up at the iron-gray sky and reaching the appropriate conclusion, but whatever. An hour later, I’m in…
On taking care
“You should be careful with your bag,” Jessica says to me. “It’s heavy.” “I will be, sweetie,” I tell her. “And don’t poke yourself with that pen.” “I’ll be careful,” I tell her, tucking the pen in the bag. Not comparing her to a helicopter parent or pointing out that I successfully managed all of…
On negotiation
We’re getting ready in the morning, and Jessica pops into the kitchen where I’m gathering my keys. Me: Here, let me help you with you hair. Jessica: What’s wrong with it? Me: It needs to be a little neater. Jessica: Like how neat does it need to be? Me: It needs to be 100% neat….
Conversations with Jessica
Jessica: “Your hair is so long, you look like Rapunzel!” Me: “Me?” Jessica: “Except she is blonde.” Me: “True.” Jessica: “And her hair is a lot longer.” Me: “True.” Jessica: “And also she is younger.” Me: “But other than that I look just like Rapunzel, huh?” Jessica: “EXACTLY like Rapunzel.” ### My collection of travel…
