It was a nice evening - for less than 2 weeks post-D, not a bad event. I'm keeping low expectations though, and I'm thinking long-term plan here.
I, not she, took some steps backward today. S5 had a TBall game, and at the game, another mother came barking at me asking about W's whereabouts. W was late and had volunteered to run the concession stand. W is late to everything, so I didn't weigh this very heavily, but one mother literally harassed me until I told S5 to go with the rest of his team (we were SO close to making a big step with his catching the ball! But we'll have to achieve that another day). I went to volunteer just as W called me to tell me she was running late. Anyway, I snapped back that folks were expecting her (not a useful comment), and she got defensive and started angrily talking about having to work and to run here and there. We both ended the call abruptly.
Then I shifted focus. I found myself able to enjoy flipping burgers & hotdogs on the grill while Angry Mom still stood over my shoulder coaching me how to grill and not taking pointed smiley hints like "I can handle this." I joked with another Dad drafted to cover W's position, and when W arrived the 3 of us had a lot of fun banter back and forth. W seemed to appreciate the guy talk b/t the Dad and I, and she commented here and there as well.
I think we ended up on a semi-positive note, with her complimenting a baseball magnet I placed on my truck for S5, and my noting that she had done well choosing the snacks for the team.
Martha, I realized that I need to keep an eye out for other women's waves crashing (or PMS! ) if I am to navigate the world well, especially if W is in the area, as I don't want to be set off on a negative vibe with her around.
) if I am to navigate the world well, especially if W is in the area, as I don't want to be set off on a negative vibe with her around.
