Dear T,

Unfortunately, I feel a 'mute' stage coming on for us. Last time it lasted for about 6 weeks!! I sure hope that is not the case this time. I was thinking about bringing in my notepad and writing notes to you in case I cannot talk this time. If you tell me I can't do that, I feel that I will just get up and leave.

My question to you is this: If I do something like that (get up and start to leave), will you say anything to try to get me to stay? Or will you just let me leave without saying anything to encourage me to stay?

I want you to encourage me to stay but I fear that you won't. You have told me all along that I need to be the one to ask for help. You will be there to help me, but I have to ask for it. So, if I get up to leave, does that mean that I have to be the one to stop myself from doing that?

Please don't do that to me. Encourage me to stay and 'face my fears'. I will be totally miserable for another week if you allow me to walk out the door without encouraging me not to.

Squiggle