Now I've done it... again

[nephartiti]

OMG, what a day!

Ok, we were under construction, so I decided to take the kids to the movies. We were finishing lunch and ready to rush in the movie when I get a text msg from H "May I take the kids today?" I almost sent a text back, but decided I would think about what to say and address it after the movie. I turned off my phone. I was a little irritated by the last minute aspect, as if he expected us to be sitting at home waiting for him when he hasn't stopped by in over a week. I also despise text messaging.

After the movie, I checked my v-mail. H had called and asked me to call back (no details on msg). I turned my phone back off b/c I really didn't know how to handle this. When I got home there was a msg there too! One of my residents had a plumbing issue, so I called the plumber first.

As I was finishing on the phone, I hear something. I look up and outside and what do you know? There is H with his head over the wall of our back yard (he has to stand on the bumper of the van to get high enough) and S2 is climbing a ladder to reach him!

I was more than a little caught off guard by the whole thing and I kind of lost my cool. I grabbed S2 off the ladder and said "What are you doing over there (to H)?"

This is good. He says he was "driving by" and saw our S2 peeking over the wall. Yeah, right, whatever. That ladder has been there for weeks and S2 has never even noticed it. Now it is possible, but wth was H doing driving by the BACK of our apartment (it's a church parking lot mind you)?

It got a little heated because he said "remember we made plans for me to take the kids?"
"No they weren't plans. You said you were THINKING about it. I figured you would call to make plans"

Anyway, I agreed to get S2 ready, but I took my time b/c I had to recollect myself. I was way too worked up. I think I left him waiting in the van for almost 15 minutes before I felt I could go out there and not blow everything I've worked for.

I'm trying not to get too excited, but H was looking me straight in the eye the whole time. That is the most eye contact we've had in ages. He notice S2's new shoes and raved about them. He noticed our D's new dress and said he loved it. I was opening a juice box and he asked, "did you dye your hair again." "no, but I was thinking about it" "Well it looks nice" "Thank you" (I know my punctuation's horrible, but my fingers are tripping.)

Then...

I was holding the baby and he leaned in to kiss her, and he touched my arm. I pretended not to notice. Then he leaned in again to kiss the baby and ran his hand down the length of my arm. That was not necessary.

So, I tried to be cheerful as my S2 drove away looking a little unsure.

Two and a half hours later, H calls again. He said that he was calling me back, that he had tried my cell (still off) and was calling to see what I needed. I told him I hadn't called. I talked to S2 (he was doing ok). H was pleasant. I was too.

I did mess up a little with some R talk. As soon as I said it, I wanted to take it back, but it wasn't too bad, and I dropped it right away. We were talking about our storage unit. He was saying how he was thinking of giving his book collection to his brother and taking stuff to his dad's. I asked "The person you are living with won't let you move your stuff in?"

"No, I'm not going to do that. It's not my place."
"Well, you've been there almost a month, you must be comfortable enough."
"Comfortable enough to sleep, but not move my stuff in. Maybe it's pride, but I just won't do it."
"Do what?"
"Move in with someone."
Then I had to ice the cake with (sit down everyone)
"Is it pride that keeps you from coming home too?" (I know, I know. Big No NO)
He looked away, sighed, and said "probably"
Then he looked me in the eye again and said, "That's pretty sad, huh?"
That's when I dropped the subject by getting distracted by S2.

H looked more like himself again. He ditched the glasses and was back to his normal hair style (thank God), and he had a present for S2 from Target (there was a charge from Monday. I know its snooping, but I'm so glad to see he was thinking and shopping for his kids.) I told him about the fish idea, and he was really excited about that too.

This has taken an eternity to write, but it all happened very quickly.

I'm not going to get too excited. I'm going to stay dark and let him keep doing the work. The trick I have to learn is how to handle him when he won't leave me alone!

S9 and I took our alone time (Baby stayed home, but took a nice long nap) priming and painting our new shelves. So, all in all it was a pretty good day. The house is just a little too quiet w/out S2 though.