“I don’t want you to come in with me,” Julianna said.

“Oh,” Cheryl said. “Why not?” Her tone was meant to sound calm and casual, but Julianna knew better. This is what her mother always said when Julianna tried to set a boundary and it always ended in a fight. A couple of the other patients in the waiting room briefly glanced at the mother and daughter over their magazines.

“It’s my health,” Julianna said in a low voice. “The doctor should hear about my symptoms from me, not from you.”

“Why shouldn’t he hear from me?” Cheryl replied loudly. The eyes in the waiting room did not return to the magazines this time. “I’m your mother. Isn’t my opinion important?”

“I need to be able to answer his questions without you talking over me,” Julianna said.

“Well, I wouldn’t do that!” Cheryl exclaimed.

“You always do that!”

“I promise that I won’t this time,” Cheryl said primly. “I’ll just sit in the corner very quietly and let you talk.”

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