Stuck in a mess

[Dory]

Journalling:

A couple of days ago H sent me an email asking me if I'd be ok with him reducing his CS payment, "just this once", as he received an enormous electric bill for the house that he wasn't anticipating. Based on past experience, I know better than to trust his words regarding finances. I asked him to bring me the bill so I could see the useage because the amount he said it was just didn't make any sense (nevermind that we're on equal monthly installments). I figured there must've been some mistake with the billing. Either that or he was lying about it.

He brought me the bill. First thing I noticed was that he hasn't paid them in 3 months, thus the huge amount owing.

"Well, the bill hasn't been paid in three months. That explains why it's so high."

"It's the first bill I've got from them."

I just looked at him. "Yes I can afford a reduced CS payment."

"Thank you."

This is a huge 180 for me. The old me would've jumped at him by this point and said something judgemental and/or contemptuous. Or asked him why he thinks it's acceptable to ask to reduce his CS payment, instead of asking FIL to accept a smaller rent checque. But I didn't. Accepting a smaller CS payment will not be a consistent 180 for me though. The old me would've also told him to set up an automatic payment with the bank to avoid this happening in the future, but I bit my tongue. I probably also would've wondered out loud how it's possible for someone to make it to their 40's and not have it cross their mind that the obligation to pay the bill still exists, even if their billing department is lagging. But his financial mismanagement is no longer my business or my problem. So I let it go.

Then last night D12 complains to me that her toilet is broken & not flushing. I took at look at it & saw what needed fixing but had no clue how to do it myself. So I texted H & asked him if when he came over this morning to pick up D, could he please take a look at it and let me know if he knew how to fix it, otherwise I would have to call a plumber in. He didn't answer my text.

So H comes over this morning & is acting all business about it. Takes apart the broken piece, says he has to buy a repalcement part, takes it with him & walks back to the front door. He tells D to get her shoes on, he's ready to go. As D was getting her shoes on, I could see out of the corner of my eye that H was staring at me. As soon as I looked towards him, he looked away. Weird.

I don't know what to make of it.