Parenting Paul

Chapter 30: Adult Advice

Eventually, Paul and Jimmy made their way to the house, whereupon they were both in the kitchen. "I see you've been quite busy lately.....perhaps even preoccupied by more important matters..." Jimmy began as he began to pour himself a cup of tea. "Yeah y'know...writing music, recording music ...meditating with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.." Paul answered as Jimmy chuckled and handed him his own cup of tea. "Yeah....um, I was referring to the little girl that accompanied you here today....how old is she? Like 5? How peculiar...." Jimmy questioned as he sat down at the table across from Paul, and studied him. "Yeah about 5...I just thought Ruth would like someone to play with....that poor kid....stuck with two older step brothers, both in their twenties.....must be lonely." Paul answered as Jimmy shrugged and sipped his drink, "Yes, I'm sure Ruth appreciates it....but why is she with you?" Jimmy asked more intensely as Paul sipped his coffee nervously.

"Is she an orphan?" Jimmy pressed on as Paul placed his teacup on the table, and shook his head. "No, no no....she's not an orphan...." Paul answered as Jimmy rested his hand under his chin gently and continued to study his son with perplexity. "Then where's her parents?" Jimmy continued as Paul bit his lip with anxiety. "In America I'd presume ... .I don't know..." he answered honestly as he nonchalantly drank his tea. "What!? United States of America?! What in God's name have you been up to, boy!" Jimmy scolded with worry as he stood up from the table, and Paul turned to watch him grab the telephone. "Dad! Wait! Don't...please... I can explain....." Paul pleaded as he grabbed Jimmy by the arm to stop him. "What happened then?" Jimmy asked with concerned passion .

"Look, this gentleman dropped her off a few days ago, and he told me that I needed to look out for her....but just temporarily....I was reassured that her mother would return to pick her up at some point, I didn't expect it....no, but I can handle it....I've been handling it....I wouldn't ever put her in any position to get hurt.." Paul defended as Jimmy sighed deeply, and walked back to the table. "Do you have any idea of who her mother is? Or where she might be?" Jimmy asked with his voice being taken over by the thoughts that were running through his head. "No, and no....but I'm sure she'll turn up." Paul answered, trying to appear confident. "What have you been doing with her? Y'know, has she been eating three meals a day? Breakfast, lunch and dinner? Has she been able to play with toys, or ride bikes with neighborhood children? Has she gotten proper sleep?" Jimmy asked as Paul looked away, "She's been at the studio with me, we went to the grocery shop, we went to the playground, and I even took her to McDonald's and the pub..." Paul answered as he watched Jimmy shake his head in disbelief.

"What about school? Is she even registered to start primary school? You can't just take the child wherever you wanna go....she has needs...deep core needs that are the cornerstone to her core development and self worth.....did you ever think about that? At all?" Jimmy questioned as Paul became silent, as Jimmy shook his head again trying to relax. "I think you need to focus on her education and social skills....she seemed quite distracted and distant when we met, very strange for a girl her age.....I think setting her up for primary school education would be very helpful..." Jimmy suggested as Paul nodded with understanding. "It would help her make friends, come out of her shell, and maybe even help her settle into being part of the United Kingdom now.....I cannot imagine the anxiety she must feel being moved here all the way from the states... and being all alone..."