Poking the Bruise

This phrase is part of a shorthand language that I have with my sister. Remember being little and getting a big ol' ugly bruise and constantly pushing on it to see if it still hurt? (Please, tell me I'm not the only one who did this!!) Susan and I use this phrase when one of us keeps revisiting a painful or upsetting situation, just to see if it's still, well, painful or upsetting. If you're really good at poking the bruise, you can work yourself all up in a snit over and over again, especially if you tend to poke bruises at night or when you're alone. Or both. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that I am a Champion Bruise Poker.

So, anyway, Patrick Alderman thinks he's soooo smart. He told Char that she and I will spend our whole week together bawling. That just shows how much he knows...I'm pre-bawling. Char just sent me a recent portrait of Matthew and I'm a bruise-poking maniac right now. I'm imagining what it will be like for me to first see him after all this time. As much as I love Matthew, he and I have never been real physical with our affection. If I jack with that, and grab him in a bone-crushing bear hug, sobbing into his neck, Patrick may expect me to chip in for the therapy.

I need another Kleenex, I'll be back later.