My Story (2)

[Sunflyer]

The holidays are practically upon us, so I knew this discussion would come up at some point.

I made plans for Thanksgiving with another family member. I seem to remember W suggesting that her brother might host Thanksgiving because she is still recovering from surgery.

This morning she informs me that she will indeed be cooking, and it will be a small gathering, just her, me, the boys, and her parents.

I inform her that I will not be present. She looks like a bomb hit her.

She asks me when I was planning to tell her. I inform her that I didn't even know she was making a dinner.

She asks me if I am going to my sister's.

My response: "I will be with someone." This annoys her; she says that she asked me a question, and she wanted an answer. I told her I gave her one.

She can't possibly be disappointed by this. She and her family have no desire to be around me, and frankly I have no desire to sit at a table with someone who cheated and whose parents, at the same table, apparently know about it and approve of it.

Of course, her family will probably spin this as vaildating her criticism of me. "See? He's rude and cold. He doesn't want to be around us." It's a no-win situation, so I'd prefer to take the option that preserves my sanity.

I suspect the only reason she would relent on having me at dinner is because of our boys. She wondered how this would be explained to them. I do feel bad that I won't eat with them one last time, but this is the way things will be going forward anyway.