Sticking her head through the lathed oak posts that seperated the living room from the stairs, she pretended to be an invisible monkey. This was her favorite game. Quietly she would sneak up the faux sheetrock steps and spy on the intimate conversations of her parents.
In this small town, everyone knew everyone. This was especially the case considering her mother was a teacher and her father was the town photographer. For years to come, everywhere she went with either of her parents, one of them was bound to know someone at a distance.
"I taught him in Junior English."
"Her's was one of the best Senior Portraits I have ever taken!"
Most of the time, while living as the invisible monkey, she came up short on information. What bills needed to be paid; who was seen around town with someone other than thier spouse; just plain bickering. Anytime the monkey heard her name she was bound to the edges of her cage intently listening. Mostly these conversations pertained to the daily ongoings of her jungle, sometimes more finely tuned towards her behavior or eating habits that day. Sometimes the talk was more stressful. She couldn't quite figure out why, but when the voices became louder and higher, it made her hair stand on end.
The young monkey was in the lower jungle one afternoon playing around. She heard the elder monkeys screeching very loudly. It was her cue to quietly climb the steps that led her to her perch. The mama was quite upset. Sitting on the floor with her legs tucked under her to her right and her back arched. The papa monkey was attempting possible coersion of maybe even pleading. The child monkey couldn't tell. She just knew it wasn't good.
Strangely enough, she felt no emotion. From within her still young mind, she kind of knew it was the end. She just went back downstairs to her playground.
Later that evening, while bouncing habitually on the overstuffed fuzzy black couch, her parents came down and told her they needed to talk to her. Being four years old, this declaration didn't effect her like it should. Standing on the couch looking at both her mother and father, they told her they were getting a divorce. Somehow, she already knew what this meant. The first and only thought that came to mind was "Do I get to pick who I live with?". She said this with such innocence and seriousness that her parents were at a loss for words. It took what felt like ten minutes for her mother to respond.
"No."
That was the answer. She knew deep down that she wanted to stay with her dad. There was no doubt in her mind. Apparently that was not an option.
Not to long after that conversation, her mother had packed up the little monkey and her older brother's belongings and moved out. All the monkey wanted to do was be with her father.
For years to come the monkey still wished her father would have at least fought for her to stay. It never happened. As she grew into a girl, then a young lady, she often thought about asking her father to have her move in. She never could muster up the courage for fear of rejection. She never asked. He never asked for her to stay, what would give her the idea that he wanted her to.
Now as a 29 year old woman, looking back on all of this, I realize that it was better that I never went to live with my dad. Don't get me wrong, there were many of awful times between my mother and I, but as an adult, I couldn't imagine what my life would be like growing up in another city and without the friends I have met along the way. I have a great relationship with both my parents now. I never had a bad one with my father, but he got to be the good guy my whole life. In fact, my mother and father are the best of friends.
Before my stepfather passed away, he and my mother and my father and stepmother would hang out often. I couldn't ask for a better example of people acting like adults and stepping up to the plate for the sake of the kids. They both, my mom & dad, made a concious decision to get along for my brother and I. It has paid off well. Before my ex-husband and I got married, we made the decision that if our marriage ever failed, we would follow my parents' example. We have for the most part. Yes, we argue over stupid little things, but we get along and I get along with his girlfriend and the same goes for my boyfriend. Do we all hang out? No, and I don't think we ever will; as a group at least. But, I could go and have a beer with him.
This post started off as a writing exercise, but has since turned into proving a point, or maybe even a couple.
I would venture to say that the point would be that it is true: Time does heal all wounds. If you let it. Second, would be that it is possible to get over your hate and hurt and anger. At least enough for your children to know that they are loved by both of you and you will continue to parent as a team!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Perfect
She's making her way to the checkout line. Isle 15: 12 items or less. Looking into her basket, with those eyes colored sky, she becomes distraught; realizing there are 14 items. Her body just deflates and the tears start pouring.
Her perfectly tailored madras with the pink cardigan to match; the perfectly coiffed ponytail and the delicately manicured nails finished with Tea Rose Pink make her the envy of all housewives. Her Chanel sunglasses were sitting atop her honeyed hair. She slowly slid them down to shade the swelling of her eyes. No one needed to see perfection flawed.
Amidst her temporary breakdown; while trying to decide what two items to return; she turned around and nearly knocked him down. Staggering, he balanced himself on the hand-carved cane his great-grandfather gave him as a child. Confused as to what just happened, he caught a glimpse of the sad lady. He knew he wasn't supposed to, but he saw just a hint of a tear under the Chanels highlighted by the shadow of running mascara.
It was obvious to the gentleman that no one was to know she was upset. He wondered what could make someone who seemingly had everything so upset. Making his way to the checkout line, he kept looking back at her.
She couldn't bring herself to apologize. Just stared at him as if she were a doe looking into the headlights of an oncoming semi. Trying to hide her now tattered face, abruptly she turned and walked away.
Did anyone notice? Do they know? More tears start to flow. Autopilot kicks in and she just sets down her basket and walks out.
The gentleman notices her exit empty-handed. Remembering events that led him here today, he nonchalantly picked up the lady's basket and combined it with his own. He hoped he had enough time. He made his way through the line and out of the store. Like a dolphin using it's sonar, he scanned the lot in hopes of finding her. He was right in concentrating on the hoard of SUVs that took more than half of all the spaces.
There she was. Leaning against the door of her Midnight Blue Excursion. Hands just tapping at the door so rhythmically she could have been a metronome for the Boston Pops. She couldn't collect herself enough to open the door.
He walked to his own car; never letting her out of his sight. He patiently waited until she was ready. Close to a half hour had passed. She was still tapping. He was still waiting. He often took to sharpening his knife when he was watching. Sometimes this would last for hours. Slide on the whetstone. Lift the blade. Turn to the other side; slide again. Over and over and over again. The swish-scrape was soothing to him. It allowed him to concentrate on the task at hand.
Ten minutes later, she regained composure and unlocked the truck. Completely unaware of being watched, she started home. Left onto Bradbury. Seven blocks; then right on to Oak Knoll. She always had liked this route, for the shade of the elderly oaks and birch created a vast canopy. Secure and safe. She would miss this drive.
When she reached her house; she would never call this home again; she started to throw up. She knew she had to go in, but dreaded the thought. The memories, the demons, the stench of hate kept her from wanting to go into what should have been the safest place in the world. Taking a deep breath; she parked the truck and walked to the front door. Letting herself in, she took a moment to look back at the street; taking it all in. With an almost nonexistant sigh, she entered and closed the door. She never noticed the car on the street or the man from the supermarket sitting inside of it just watching her.
He never understood her kind of people. They had everything, but never seemed to appreciate it. They never seemed happy. It was almost as if they couldn't enjoy thier blessings. The deal made with the devil only allowed them to have the great life; just not enjoy it. He knew it was his calling; his responsibility to give them what they deserved. He called himself "The Helper". As far as he knew, no one had ever found out who he was. Certainly, he would not be able to continue his life's work if anyone had. He preferred to stay below the radar.
She had no idea what events were to come after bumping into the man. She knew what the afternoon was to hold before the incident. After seeing the cripple seemingly thankful for just being alive, she thought twice. It was him that made her leave the basket. The candles, the bubble bath, the cd of Bethoven, the prescriptions and the the razor blades. The reality of leaving was still tangible. But now, she realized there was more than one way to do so.
Pulling the suitcases out of the storage room, her mind started filling with the nightmares of this particular closet. How he would tie her up in here when she "misbehaved". The lashes in the drywall were still fresh with her flesh imbedded. The muzzle still smelled of sweat and tears. She quickly grabbed the suitcases before finding the broomstick.
Packing as quickly as possible; taking only the nessecary items, she heard the doorbell. Who would be calling in the middle of the afternoon? After stuffing the suitcases under the bed to hide any evidence of her departure, she went downstairs to answer.
Certainly not expecting what she found; she was in shock. There on her front stoop sat a bag. Inside the bag were the items she left at the store and a note. The note read:
Her perfectly tailored madras with the pink cardigan to match; the perfectly coiffed ponytail and the delicately manicured nails finished with Tea Rose Pink make her the envy of all housewives. Her Chanel sunglasses were sitting atop her honeyed hair. She slowly slid them down to shade the swelling of her eyes. No one needed to see perfection flawed.
Amidst her temporary breakdown; while trying to decide what two items to return; she turned around and nearly knocked him down. Staggering, he balanced himself on the hand-carved cane his great-grandfather gave him as a child. Confused as to what just happened, he caught a glimpse of the sad lady. He knew he wasn't supposed to, but he saw just a hint of a tear under the Chanels highlighted by the shadow of running mascara.
It was obvious to the gentleman that no one was to know she was upset. He wondered what could make someone who seemingly had everything so upset. Making his way to the checkout line, he kept looking back at her.
She couldn't bring herself to apologize. Just stared at him as if she were a doe looking into the headlights of an oncoming semi. Trying to hide her now tattered face, abruptly she turned and walked away.
Did anyone notice? Do they know? More tears start to flow. Autopilot kicks in and she just sets down her basket and walks out.
The gentleman notices her exit empty-handed. Remembering events that led him here today, he nonchalantly picked up the lady's basket and combined it with his own. He hoped he had enough time. He made his way through the line and out of the store. Like a dolphin using it's sonar, he scanned the lot in hopes of finding her. He was right in concentrating on the hoard of SUVs that took more than half of all the spaces.
There she was. Leaning against the door of her Midnight Blue Excursion. Hands just tapping at the door so rhythmically she could have been a metronome for the Boston Pops. She couldn't collect herself enough to open the door.
He walked to his own car; never letting her out of his sight. He patiently waited until she was ready. Close to a half hour had passed. She was still tapping. He was still waiting. He often took to sharpening his knife when he was watching. Sometimes this would last for hours. Slide on the whetstone. Lift the blade. Turn to the other side; slide again. Over and over and over again. The swish-scrape was soothing to him. It allowed him to concentrate on the task at hand.
Ten minutes later, she regained composure and unlocked the truck. Completely unaware of being watched, she started home. Left onto Bradbury. Seven blocks; then right on to Oak Knoll. She always had liked this route, for the shade of the elderly oaks and birch created a vast canopy. Secure and safe. She would miss this drive.
When she reached her house; she would never call this home again; she started to throw up. She knew she had to go in, but dreaded the thought. The memories, the demons, the stench of hate kept her from wanting to go into what should have been the safest place in the world. Taking a deep breath; she parked the truck and walked to the front door. Letting herself in, she took a moment to look back at the street; taking it all in. With an almost nonexistant sigh, she entered and closed the door. She never noticed the car on the street or the man from the supermarket sitting inside of it just watching her.
He never understood her kind of people. They had everything, but never seemed to appreciate it. They never seemed happy. It was almost as if they couldn't enjoy thier blessings. The deal made with the devil only allowed them to have the great life; just not enjoy it. He knew it was his calling; his responsibility to give them what they deserved. He called himself "The Helper". As far as he knew, no one had ever found out who he was. Certainly, he would not be able to continue his life's work if anyone had. He preferred to stay below the radar.
She had no idea what events were to come after bumping into the man. She knew what the afternoon was to hold before the incident. After seeing the cripple seemingly thankful for just being alive, she thought twice. It was him that made her leave the basket. The candles, the bubble bath, the cd of Bethoven, the prescriptions and the the razor blades. The reality of leaving was still tangible. But now, she realized there was more than one way to do so.
Pulling the suitcases out of the storage room, her mind started filling with the nightmares of this particular closet. How he would tie her up in here when she "misbehaved". The lashes in the drywall were still fresh with her flesh imbedded. The muzzle still smelled of sweat and tears. She quickly grabbed the suitcases before finding the broomstick.
Packing as quickly as possible; taking only the nessecary items, she heard the doorbell. Who would be calling in the middle of the afternoon? After stuffing the suitcases under the bed to hide any evidence of her departure, she went downstairs to answer.
Certainly not expecting what she found; she was in shock. There on her front stoop sat a bag. Inside the bag were the items she left at the store and a note. The note read:
You do not know me
I am "The Helper"
You seem distressed today
Please allow me to help
It seems that you needed these items
I took the liberty of fufilling your order
Please enjoy
Goodbye
She took the bag and went inside.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Stuck In A Moment
I never thought you were a fool
But darling, look at you. Ooh.
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
'Cause tears are going nowhere baby
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
U2- Stuck In A Moment
I am trying to figure it out. When and where I met Bono. It must have been one hell of a conversation for him to be so affected by me and my life to write a song! This song was written for me and about me. Bono just may not know it yet.
I feel like I have been riding the same roller coaster (one word? two?) for the last year. Up and down; thrown from side to side. Sometimes nauseating; sometimes giving off that sweet tickle. You know the one I mean. But for the most part, it leaves you with a staggering headache from all the extremes. I have that headache now.
I am stuck in a moment that I can't get out of. Six months ago, I was ready to pick up and leave everything behind. My son and I were going to start over. A rebirthing. Rising from the ashes. I ended up staying. For now at least. For many small reasons and one large one. Boyfriend.
I stayed to give us another chance. And things were going great again. Now, I am back in a rut. I'm not sure he's to blame, either. Mostly, it's my insecurities, paranoia, distrust or just plain craziness. It could be the current situation too. He is somewhere that I don't want him to be. And alone. It's more the fact that he is there alone; and so is she. I am ready to throw caution to the wind; call him out and walk away.
The walking away part never seems to go smoothly for me. I tend to fold and give in when I should be strong. When I should tell him to go fuck himself, I instead let him tell me that nothing happened except for a conversation. Even though it could have, he likes to remind me. I let him tell me to trust him. It's very hard to build that up again after it has been destroyed.
Maybe the trust has been earned and I am too blind or jaded to see it. Can you ever know? I guess I have been relying on blind faith. That is why I run into walls.
So now I am stuck. Do I plan on the migration and just walk? Do I try to learn to trust again? Give him the benefit of the doubt? These are the thoughts that swarm through my already cloudy mind daily. None of them has been answered. Maybe I will have to rely on that blind faith, but this time for only myself, and get myself together and get out of this moment.
But darling, look at you. Ooh.
You gotta stand up straight, carry your own weight
'Cause tears are going nowhere baby
You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it
U2- Stuck In A Moment
I am trying to figure it out. When and where I met Bono. It must have been one hell of a conversation for him to be so affected by me and my life to write a song! This song was written for me and about me. Bono just may not know it yet.
I feel like I have been riding the same roller coaster (one word? two?) for the last year. Up and down; thrown from side to side. Sometimes nauseating; sometimes giving off that sweet tickle. You know the one I mean. But for the most part, it leaves you with a staggering headache from all the extremes. I have that headache now.
I am stuck in a moment that I can't get out of. Six months ago, I was ready to pick up and leave everything behind. My son and I were going to start over. A rebirthing. Rising from the ashes. I ended up staying. For now at least. For many small reasons and one large one. Boyfriend.
I stayed to give us another chance. And things were going great again. Now, I am back in a rut. I'm not sure he's to blame, either. Mostly, it's my insecurities, paranoia, distrust or just plain craziness. It could be the current situation too. He is somewhere that I don't want him to be. And alone. It's more the fact that he is there alone; and so is she. I am ready to throw caution to the wind; call him out and walk away.
The walking away part never seems to go smoothly for me. I tend to fold and give in when I should be strong. When I should tell him to go fuck himself, I instead let him tell me that nothing happened except for a conversation. Even though it could have, he likes to remind me. I let him tell me to trust him. It's very hard to build that up again after it has been destroyed.
Maybe the trust has been earned and I am too blind or jaded to see it. Can you ever know? I guess I have been relying on blind faith. That is why I run into walls.
So now I am stuck. Do I plan on the migration and just walk? Do I try to learn to trust again? Give him the benefit of the doubt? These are the thoughts that swarm through my already cloudy mind daily. None of them has been answered. Maybe I will have to rely on that blind faith, but this time for only myself, and get myself together and get out of this moment.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Before He Cheats
He cheated. Six months ago.
Not your normal affair with sex.
An affair of the heart, although he wasn't really into her. Maybe it was supposed to be sexual.
I think he was just lonely.
No excuses!
He was on vacation at his home in Florida. I wasn't able to take time off work to accompany.
He took her on a date. The bitch rode in MY seat on his motorcycle! They went on a ride.
Apparently they kissed.
Nothing else.
I found out because the tramp was calling at 3 AM while I am laying in bed next to him.
I confronted him and eventually got it out of him.
I won't go into details of why I believe nothing more happened at that time, but I do believe it.
Mainly because she is psycho!
Drunk dialing me. ME- his girlfriend asking if I am with him! Crying, telling me that I need to move on. After I have 3 years invested and she had met him twice!
Frustration ensues!
That was over. We moved on together.
Things were good, then they turned very ugly. In fact, it didn't have to do with her at all.
At least not directly. The events that followed that resulted in a bad break up would never have happened if he would have never met her or gotten involved.
We both had a difficult time for a couple of months.
The healing began and we could be friendly.
We became very friendly and began seeing each other again. This time my wall was still up.
I told him that I still planned on moving south. Way south.
We could hang, go out and have the ever amazing sex we always did. But that was it.
I couldn't let myself go again. I couldn't run the risk of losing him again. It would destroy me.
That really bothered him. That I had my wall up. He didn't want me to go.
Funny.
The only reason I needed to go was there was too much of us in this city. I would be leaving for the same reason I would stay.
I needed a reason to stay.
I stayed... For now.
We are together.
During the time that we were finding our friendship, he went to Florida.
We were not together then.
I called an old friend.
So did he.
Was I wrong to be so upset that he chose this ragged old bar whore for the bootie call when it affected me so personally?
My friend is a very old dear friend that there are no emotions tied to. Boyfriend has never met him, not have I ever cheated on boyfriend.
Again, we weren't together when this happened. I am still disgusted by it.
We have moved on. Things are good.
We have gone on several trips.
Thrown Parties.
Planning on more trips. Even the possibility of moving in together.
I need to learn to trust.
He is in Florida now.
I couldn't get off work. I know that if I on the spur of the moment flew down there, it would be no problem.
But what about before, when I am not there.
How much do I trust?
When do I know that he has proven himself?
I don't think I will ever know.
Not your normal affair with sex.
An affair of the heart, although he wasn't really into her. Maybe it was supposed to be sexual.
I think he was just lonely.
No excuses!
He was on vacation at his home in Florida. I wasn't able to take time off work to accompany.
He took her on a date. The bitch rode in MY seat on his motorcycle! They went on a ride.
Apparently they kissed.
Nothing else.
I found out because the tramp was calling at 3 AM while I am laying in bed next to him.
I confronted him and eventually got it out of him.
I won't go into details of why I believe nothing more happened at that time, but I do believe it.
Mainly because she is psycho!
Drunk dialing me. ME- his girlfriend asking if I am with him! Crying, telling me that I need to move on. After I have 3 years invested and she had met him twice!
Frustration ensues!
That was over. We moved on together.
Things were good, then they turned very ugly. In fact, it didn't have to do with her at all.
At least not directly. The events that followed that resulted in a bad break up would never have happened if he would have never met her or gotten involved.
We both had a difficult time for a couple of months.
The healing began and we could be friendly.
We became very friendly and began seeing each other again. This time my wall was still up.
I told him that I still planned on moving south. Way south.
We could hang, go out and have the ever amazing sex we always did. But that was it.
I couldn't let myself go again. I couldn't run the risk of losing him again. It would destroy me.
That really bothered him. That I had my wall up. He didn't want me to go.
Funny.
The only reason I needed to go was there was too much of us in this city. I would be leaving for the same reason I would stay.
I needed a reason to stay.
I stayed... For now.
We are together.
During the time that we were finding our friendship, he went to Florida.
We were not together then.
I called an old friend.
So did he.
Was I wrong to be so upset that he chose this ragged old bar whore for the bootie call when it affected me so personally?
My friend is a very old dear friend that there are no emotions tied to. Boyfriend has never met him, not have I ever cheated on boyfriend.
Again, we weren't together when this happened. I am still disgusted by it.
We have moved on. Things are good.
We have gone on several trips.
Thrown Parties.
Planning on more trips. Even the possibility of moving in together.
I need to learn to trust.
He is in Florida now.
I couldn't get off work. I know that if I on the spur of the moment flew down there, it would be no problem.
But what about before, when I am not there.
How much do I trust?
When do I know that he has proven himself?
I don't think I will ever know.
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