November 20, 2005 - Sunday
I finally told Harry about Rip's parents. I'd been meaning to do it since we learned about it, but there never seemed to be an opportunity or really a reason. I guess the reason would have been that it might have come up from Rip, but since they're not in the same school anymore they don't see each other as often and when they do there are probably more exciting things to take about. So, why burden Harry with confusing information? Well, the reason would be to simply not keep things from him and to give him information that might help him deal with it later without over-burdening him.

Today Harry said he wanted to call Rip on the phone and invite him over. Rip's mother told us last week that she'd be away this weekend and that meant that Rip would be with his dad and not at home to receive Harry's call. That's what I told Harry. But there was a moment during that explanation that I hestitated. I'd said Rip was with his dad and that meant he wasn't at home. On the surface that wouldn't have made sense to Harry if he thought about it. So I asked, "has Rip said to you about his mom and dad?"

The discussion we had was fairly short and covered the basics: that his parent's were having trouble getting along and that Rip's dad was living somewhere else. Harry asked why. I said I didn't really know, but that I wanted him to know about it just in case it came up with Rip. Harry asked if he'd come back. I said I didn't know. Then, Harry seemed to get a little teary-eyed and I asked him what made him sad. Apparently when he asked if "he'd come back" he wasn't talking about Rip's dad, but rather Rip himself. My answer apparently suggested that maybe he'd never see Rip again. I told him that that wasn't true and that Rip would be back home tonight. He just wasn't there to answer the phone today.


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