Kristi is going through that stage in her life where she desires, probably more than anything in the world, someone to give her a unique and meaningful nickname. However, because her expectations are so high and her desire for this is still unspoken, no one in her life has successfully accomplished this yet. And being the take-charge kinda girl that she is… Kristi has come up with an idea on her own… Krist.

I know, like her real name wasn’t cute and different enough already.

……….

“Yes, mother, I am aware that it resembles the word ‘Christ,” but no one is stupid enough to actually make that association except you.” With that, my mom’s whole body went from that yummy, squishy, mommy goodness to that rigid and cold stuff that drill sergeants are made of.
“I mean… umn… no one is as religiously aware as you are…” Ugh. Nice save there, Kristi. There she goes with the look! How the hell do I get myself out of this one?
“Yeah… I’m just going to stop talking now.”

“That’s the most intelligent thing I have heard you say all week, dear. Now please, I just want to make sure you aren’t taking this little creative outlet thing too far. I’m all for self-expression and uniqueness and all, but- who even gave you that lame nickname in the first place?”
“It’s not lame, Mom, and you wouldn’t know him. He, uhh, he goes to school with me.” No, no, no! Don’t fidget with your fingers… she knows you do that when you are lying!

……….

I knew she was lying. I have the same trouble with not telling the truth that she does. Us Sintell’s are just not good at being dishonest. She even looks to the left just slightly as her brain tries to configure the story like I do.
“Sometimes you make me wonder.”
“Wonder about what, Mom?”
“Do you really think that I can’t tell when you lie to me? I mean, this is what I do for a living… catch little rats like you in the act. Give me a little credit, Kriiiiiist.”

……….

So what if she is an Adolescent Psychologist?! She’s only human, for God’s sake. I figure I can slip one through the system every now and again.
“Look, just let me be who I want to be. I like being called Krist. And I think you’ll eventually like it too.”

……….

Actually, it’s what I had in mind to call her my entire life. I’ve always wanted it to be Krist. That’s why I named her Kristin in the first place. Jake just didn’t like it… thought it sounded too gothic for our first child. So I settled with Kristi, hoping that this idea would eventually come up. Damn, I’m good.

Sometimes the connection I have with my daughter scares me. I hope it scares her a little bit too.

The only trick now is to make sure she can’t see how excited I am about this development.
“Fine. Call yourself whatever the hell you want to! And in following, you can call me Turnip Lips. I’ve gotta go pick up your brother.”

……….

God she can be such a bitch.

……….

Heh.