Family Matters 223said. “But I’m still wondering if this is a pretty typical
conversation.”
“Oh, Mitchell would have gotten insulted and
stormed out of the room if we were at home,” said the
mother. “In fact, I’m surprised he’s still sitting here now.”
“YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I FEEL!” boomed
Mitchell.
“We’ve been listening to you telling us how you
feel since you were a baby,” said the father. “We know
more about how you feel than you know.”
“ENOUGH!” boomed Mitchell.
“My sentiments exactly,” the therapist said. “I think
I’ll answer my own question. Forgive me for being so
direct, but you guys have some not-so-wonderful ways
of communicating with one another.”
“How do you mean?” asked the mother.
“You’re a very sarcastic group,” the therapist said.
“Which would be fine, I guess, except that when
you’re sarcastic, I think it makes it very hard for
Mitchell to figure out what you mean.”
“But he’s so smart and we’re so dumb,” said the fa-
ther.
Mitchell paused, reflecting on his father’s words.
“Are you trying to be funny again?” he asked his father.
“You’re so smart, figure it out,” the father said.
“Uhm,” the therapist interrupted, “I’m sure you
guys could do this all day, but I don’t think it would
get us anywhere.”