Friends: Season 5--New perspectives

[Underdog]

Last post for the day... thanks for more ideas. I'll say that sitters are hard to come by here. I have a sitter every day after school (during the year) and occasionally on the evenings. I'll entertain the idea of bringing one in a little more often later on.

I can't hire the average teenager because of D7's medical issues. We have to be a bit more choosey than the average bear. Getting back to the soap opera....

So I was prepared. And Mr. Wonderful didn't show up. Even for this PA guy, it ain't his MO. I took D7 shopping, bought beer (I have a 12 pack of MGD in the fridge if anyone wants to come over and party) and washed all the patio furniture. At 3 pm, we were in bathing suits and it was pretty hot. So D7 and I headed for the pool.

Caught up with some friends and D7's special ed teacher. I got home a little before 6 and there was no sign of Mr. W. I chose to not feel angry or any emotion over it (yes, I finally see how I can control my own environment).

D7 and I ate dinner, cleaned up, called D10 and I finished laundry. At 8 pm, no word from Mr. W. So I headed out to mow the front yard. Before I get blasted, I will tell you all that it's been 2 weeks since the last mowing and we are a covenant community. End of story. I walked in the door with some beautiful mosquito bites (that's what I get for mowing in a bikini).

I put D7 in the tub and decided to make a phone call to my estranged H. I deliberately chose a soft voice, dripping with concern. He answered, and I began, "K, I'm just calling to see if everything is okay. I didn't hear from you today and since that isn't like you, I started to worry."

MW: Genuinely pleased at my tonality. "That's really sweet of you, Bets. I have to confess that I'm feeling very lazy today. I was going to call you soon, though."

Me: And I'll just bet you procrastinated long enough to gather that I was angry. Another set up. "That's okay. I was concerned about you."

MW: Laughing nervously. "Uh, to tell you the truth, I have a bad case of the bottle flu. Gary came over last night and we played quarters until really late. We're both feeling awful today."

Some of our MLC guys go get OW. Mine chose to beam himself back to high school so he could relive the days like normal teenagers do, instead of being a goody two shoes like he was. QUARTERS? I haven't played that since college, at the very latest.

MW: "I didn't think you would understand if I called you earlier to tell you why I wasn't going to come over."

Me: Validating SUCKS! But I do it anyway! "Believe it or not, I do understand. <Pause> I can't stay on long because D7 is in the bathtub."

MW: Great opportunity to change subjects!!! "How was she today? What did you guys do?"

Me: "She was very busy. Her legs and arms are covered with marker, and we went to the pool. We had a good time today, especially since nobody took a crap in the pool."

MW: "HA HA HA!!! That's funny!"

Me: Yeah, I'm funny, but this wasn't a joke. Our last pool outing was ruined because of that poopy event. And it wasn't a baby ruth! "And we caught up with a few of D10's friends."

MW: "Speaking of which, is this the longest you've ever gone talking to her?"

Me: "Huh?"

MW: "You talked to her Friday morning. I'm guessing that she has had a busy weekend with your folks.... and that she hasn't called. That must be the reason."

Me: Uh oh. "K, I talk to her every day."

MW: "Do you call her?"

Me: "Sometimes I do. Other times she calls me."

MW: Starting to get what this means. BIG TIME. And he's not happy. "When did you speak to her last? I miss her."

Me: "I called after dinner. They were having a proclaimed reading night. Everyone was in pajamas in the family room with a book. They seemed really settled."

MW: "Oh." Put on a more chipper front. "I'm really glad she's having such a great time. She's going to come back really spoiled. That is, IF she comes back..."

Me: Trying to laugh it off. "Well, as a matter of fact, she told me tonight she didn't want to come home. She said she misses all of us, but she likes her life there a whole lot."

MW: "Hmmmm. I guess so. Your folks have always made her feel special. That's tough to beat. And I know that the feelings are more than mutual. It's good that they can do this for her."

Me: "Yes, I agree. Well, it's time for me to go."

MW: "Talk to you tomorrow. Thanks for calling."

****I'm feeling something, but not sure what? At any rate, it's too late to analyze and I need to put sheets on my bed and hit the sack, with D7 of course.

Betsey