"I'm completely at a loss, Jim", Anne sighed."I'm completely at a loss, Jim", Anne sighed. "She's never listened to me or to anyone else, and if she gets caught trying anything like this again she'll get much more than a three month sentence, they've already said as much! Every time she comes back from those reform schools she seems wilder than ever... I just don't know what to do with her!" "She needs discipline, Anne... she's never really had it from anyone. I don't mean to be critical of you, you're just too sweet and soft, and can't stand to see her unhappy about anything. I'm not sure you can stand to see her get the discipline she really needs." "I know... I'm not sure I can either. But I trust you, Jim. I trust you, and I know that Mink cares enough for you that she will respond to you and the discipline you can give her. Please do what you can... whatever it takes... Please?" "If thats what you want, Anne, but I must tell you that I will have to do it MY way. Mink needs more than simple discipline... she needs something to keep her too busy for shoplifting, and something to fill the emptiness that she feels inside. I can provide what she needs, but it will be an unusual approach... one that you must accept and trust me with entirely." "Anything, Jim. Whatever it takes, please do it. If there are parts of it you don't feel I can handle, then keep them from me, but do whatever you can, however you can do it. I promise that if Mink comes to me that I will explain to her that you have my complete support in everything you are doing, no matter what it is." After this discussion, Mink's relationship with her stepfather began to change. It was a gradual change, one carefully planned and guided by Jim, and so natural that Mink was completely unaware that there was anything planned about it. She only knew that she was growing closer and closer to him both emotionally and physically. |