A Scary Towel

Addie used to not be afraid of anything and now, she’s afraid of everything. I asked her if anything had happened that caused her to be afraid and she said no. I suppose it’s just age and realizing there are real dangers out there. I actually feel better about her showing some sense of fear vs. thinking she’s invincible and nothing can ever harm her.

Last night she needed an external battery for her tablet and I told her there was one on my bedside table. She went to get it and came out of the bedroom about to hyperventilate. I asked her what was wrong and she said something scared her . . she thought there was someone in my bathroom.

Me: How would they get in there? The bathroom is on the second floor.
Addie: Through the front door!
Me: We’ve been sitting right here in the living room almost all day. They didn’t come through the door.
Addie: What if they came in while we were gone today?
Me: I’ve been in the bathroom since then.
Addie: It looks like a man leaning over the side of the tub.
Me: It’s my towel! Is it brown?
Addie: Yes but could you go prove it to me?

We went in there and I showed her it was my towel but she couldn’t get past it.

Later she got up to go to the bathroom – to her bathroom. She sat back down and said “I don’t have to go that bad.” She admitted she was even scared to go into her bathroom.

I asked her what she was going to do when I go to take my shower. She said “Go with you!” Uhhhh . . no . . not happening.

This morning I asked her why she was scared here and not at her house. She said . . it’s the bath towel. It haunts me.

Good grief, child! I’m the biggest chicken ever and if I can stay here by myself, surely she can stay here with me without being afraid.

I asked her if she was going to come back here and she said “If I can forget about the bath towel.” I don’t even know what to say. She is already saying “Do I REALLY have to go home today?” so I know she’s fine.