D13 had a pot luck for her class last night. Around mid afternoon W called me to remind me about it. Of course I thought that was odd but I 'thanked' her for reminding me.
When it was time to go, D13 and I drove over and on the way W called me and said that she wasn't sure if I expected her to meet us there or was I waiting for her at the house. She was already there and I told her that I expected to meet her there and we were almost there.
At the cafeteria we sit across from each other at one of the tables. At one point she says "Do you mind if I sit here with you, you're the only person I know here". I said "Sure, why would I mind?"
I told her that one of her clothing store cards bill came today and I opened it and paid $500 off, slightly more than half. She thanked me and I said that they were higher interest than her other cards so 'we' should pay them off and not use them.
She replies "well I didn't want to get the cards but we were living off credit last year". I just said "I know, I'm not blaming you I'm just talking about the strategy to get out of the debt.
A minute or so later the woman who was her 'co-vp' in the high school band came and sat with us along with her husband. We like them so it was nice to see them.
Here's part of the conversation...
Woman Friend: I haven't seen you car in front of the house lately (doesn't know W has moved out?)
W: Well I'm working 4 jobs so I'm hardly home.
???
WF: well I look every time I drive by the house thinking I'll drop by.
W: Yeah, the only time I'm really around is at night. If you're looking at the house you probably saw that the lawn was a little out of control for a while (I couldn't afford the gardener and I was working too much to mow it myself)
WF: No I really don't look at that.
W: Well now Frank has it all under control, he's doing a great job taking care of things! (I recently hired the gardener back)
Other small talk, occasionally W and I make eye contact and smile when talking about D13.
When D13 is ready to leave the 3 of us walk to our cars which are parked close to each other. D13 walks ahead and W tells her 'hey, I'm not leaving until I get a hug'. D13 goes to my car, ignoring her mom. I lag behind so W can go to the car and deal with D13. D13 just doesn't feel like interacting with her mom and is a pill.
So W gets her hug and kiss and goes to her car. I get in my car and I ask D13 why is she being so cranky. She says "I really hate it when mom say things like that to me like I'm a little girl. It annoys me. And I can't carry on conversations with her about anything I'm interested because she doesn't get it, and she doesn't have any interest in things that I like"
I said "I understand, she's trying to show you that she loves you in her own way".
I started up the car and glanced out the drivers side window towards W's car and she was looking at us also. It was night time but I could see her face under the lights and I gave her a smile and she smiled back. Seemed sad.
Later I was out and saw that OM (man-boy) truck was at her place. Haven't seen him as often lately.
