that Mama Alice didn’t come from
an accepting family like ours.
I guess I’m asking, I add,
because at ice-skating, I made some assumptions
about Lyric’s life and financial situation.
Turns out she lives with her grandma
and not her parents—
but I don’t know the reason for this.
I tried to correct myself when I saw her shut down
but I think I made thingsawkward.
And then today at lunch—she—uh
I think we’re very different.
Ah, I see.Mama Alice nods.
To answer your question, no
it wasn’t difficult to talk about my past.
By the time I met your mom
I had done a lot of self-work on
my patterns of isolation
and hyperindependence.
But I wasn’t always that way.
It was hard, for a long time
to accept help from others
or admit I had needs
and feelings.
Yeah, I say.
I get that.
Look, love,
Mama Alice continues.
It sounds like the topic of family is a sore spot for Lyric.
I know this is your favorite time of year
