A Few Wise Words About Bad Words

For whatever reason, though it’s something anxiety related I’m guessing (which deserves a much longer post), as soon as Henry puts on his jacket to wait (inside) for the morning bus he stops talking.  Every morning he asks earlier and earlier if he can put on his jacket.  This morning this is how this conversation played out. HENRY: Can I put on my jacket now? ME: *glancing at the clock* You’ve still got 15 minutes until the bus comes.  If you can continue talking with us when appropriate then you can put on your jacket. HENRY: But I can’t.  It’s a ….thing. *his new catch-all phrase for whatever he decides he is compelled to do.* ME: No. It’s not ‘a thing’. You have words. Use them. LUCY: But not the bad ones, Henry. …and there you go.