CJ took a thoughtful sip from his mug. “Actually, there was a study done recently showing that waiting until the last possible moment to dress yourself allows the conscious mind to step aside, resulting in more authentic self-expression.”
His drawing out conversation, wanting to extend breakfast time was his way of trying to avoid being separated from the man.
I watched his father’s face carefully. If he was irritated or suspicious, he didn’t show it.
“Interesting.”
CJ continued. “It was conducted in Sweden.”
“Was it?” Mr. Lawrence asked.
“Yes.”
Mr. Lawrence raised an eyebrow. “At which university?”
CJ hesitated one fatal second too long. “Sweden University.”
His father snorted softly into his coffee, yet he didn’t address the lie. CJ was caught, but not corrected for his fabricated story. Interesting parenting choice.
“That’s enough social psychology for the morning,” Mr. Lawrence said gently. “Go finish getting dressed.”
“I am dressed.”
“You’re missing shoes, a tie, and your blazer.”
CJ looked down at himself as though this information had genuinely surprised him. “I think what I’m wearing is sufficient.”
“You attend a private school with a dress code stricter than some governments,” Mr. Lawrence reminded him.
“This is oppression.”
“Shoes.”
CJ let out a theatrical sigh before sliding off the stool. On his way past me, he whispered, “The Swedish study was real in spirit.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
He grinned and disappeared upstairs at a pace intentionally too slow to qualify as compliance. His father watched him go with a look I’d seen countless times before in grieving parents. Relief tangled with guilt.
Every goodbye mattered too much after sudden loss, and any form of confrontation was played on repeat in the parents’ minds. Were they too harsh with the child? Not harsh enough? And, one of the most core-shaking questions: if I lose this person suddenly, will they know how much I loved them?
He caught me noticing and looked away first. “I know he was stalling,” he said.
“Mm.”
“I should probably be stricter.”
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Whether your goal is obedience or understanding.”
That stopped him briefly. He recovered quickly and gestured to the counter. “Can I get you coffee? Tea?”
“Tea would be lovely.”
“I thought so. I wasn’t sure if you drank coffee.”
