The Majority

The other night we had a difficult conversation at our dinner table. Not what one would consider a fight. No raised voices or anything. Just a genuine topic of disagreement between the three of us.

I try to be mindful that Naomi is still a newcomer to these disagreements. Especially with those we love. The next day I thought I'd check in with her about it. See how the events had sorted out in her mind.

Me: So last night we had a difficult talk at the dinner table didn't we?

N: Yep. (pause) There for a minute I thought I was going to have to eat in the kitchen.

Me: Eat in the kitchen?

N: Yep.
Me: Naomi, nobody was in trouble last night. We just disagreed. Being sent from the table only happens when we're not respectful of each other. There's a big difference between disagreeing with someone and being ugly or disrespectful to them.

N: I know. I didn't think I was in trouble.

Me: Whew, ok, that's a relief.

N: I thought I'd eat in the kitchen because I was in the depths of despair.

Me: Really?

N: Yep.

Me: The depths of despair?

N: Yep.
Me: Woah.
N: But then I remembered the cats were probably on my side. So I felt a little better.