I did it reflexively, dozens of times, because the alternative was a child being disappointed in front of me and I did not want to be in the room for it.

I stopped in the first spring, and Dr.

Halloran had to talk me into it over about three sessions, and the change is almost invisible from outside.

Now when a call does not come, I say: “He didn’t call.

I don’t know why.

You can ask him about it next time.”

That is the whole thing.

Nine words and a refusal to fill the space.