55
Ianto was sitting on a comfortable seat as his menfolk did their thing and Maisey calmly walked behind them touching everything.
"Excuse me?"
Ianto turned his head to see a nervous woman standing there, wringing her hands and looking apologetic for even speaking.
"Well hello there, would you care to join me in my favourite pastime? People watching?" Ianto offered and she looked relieved as she settled next to him and after a few minutes she cleared her throat.
"You are Ianto Harkness-Jones, right? With Walt and sweet Babs."
"That's right. My husband is over there with one of our other children Ton and our granddaughter Maisey Moo." Ianto pointed, "I don't know. Seems we collect them like some do stamps."
She smiled and shifted in her seat then said softly "My daughter Jemima is…ah… six. She cut all her hair off when she was about four and doesn't like it long. She will not wear dresses and wants to be called Jimmy. I thought it was a phase, she would grow out of it but… she's getting insistent."
Ianto nodded then pulled out his wallet and removed a business card. He had some for such occasions now.
"This is Doctor Smith, he is the one I took Babs too. He helped her recognise herself and come to terms with her most comfortable persona. He can explain things to your child, and to you. After all …. It may be something that she grows out of. But … if this has been how things have been for a year or so … I would suggest it isn't a phase. I think … it may be something you need help with, both of you do."
"Thank you so much" she sighed heavily accepting the card and slipping it into her purse, "I just don't want to harm her, make it worse."
"Well … that's something we all want with our kids. I knew, deep down I knew. I think you do too, or you would not have come over. You are brave. Very brave remember that. When things get hard, and they will … believe me … they will remember that you are not alone. Here, this card is mine. I am a child psychologist. I can help you with advice, literature … don't think this is a battle to be won or lost. It is an opportunity to show a shiny spine only a good parent can display. For your child … you will be able to do this."
"Thank you so much" she smiled softly "Yes. I can."
Ianto hoped so.
So many children don't have the guidance or support they need, Babs' fan mail attests to it every day.
