"It's just to have it done with," he said, trying to soothe Jamie. "I also need to make arrangements for- There's not getting around it. Regardless of when it happens, eventually the symptoms will start and the doctors have been informing me what to look out for. Changes in mood or personality or coordination, which let's be honest, isn't all that great to begin with." He tried to smile gently.

"They also said, uhm...sometimes after the symptoms progress, people can get...aggressive. They get confused and they lash out. And I need to say now while I'm still me, that I would never, ever hurt you on purpose." He had never even spanked Jamie, opting instead for time outs when discipline had been necessary. "And if I ever do, I'm so sorry. That- The idea I might is kind of the scariest thing to me right now."