Germophobe

One indelible memory of Laura has to do with germs. Although I don't remember this when Laura was young, in recent years she always wanted to make sure that I had washed my hands after using the bathroom. When in response to her query I replied that yes, I had indeed washed my hands, she was generally suspicious (with good reason, because I wouldn't admit to her when I had neglected to do so) and demanded proof. What proof? She insisted on smelling my hands to make sure I had used soap.

Eventually I got into the habit of not waiting to be asked, but after exiting the bathroom simply approaching Laura and holding up my hands so she could sniff them. On a couple of occasions someone else saw me do this and was quite puzzled as to my actions. "It's a family thing," was the only comment I could think to make.

In any case, I am now much more consistent in washing my hands before leaving the bathroom. And every once in awhile I have an urge to smell someone's hands to make sure they washed the germs away.