Friday, December 26, 2008

NOT THISYEAR

His eyes are a deep blue. Short blond hair, tall and thin, quiet and aloof. Confident with a splash of arrogance. He stares as if he is seeing something no one else sees, nods in the silences between words, long after a thought is circling. He waits to be asked to sit as if he is fine off to the side - just beyond the gathering. In conversation he speaks a cold truth regardless of it's impact. He claims he hates fake people and has no intention of pretending. He calmly says '"this is who I am, if people like me, fine, if they don't, it is of no concern to me."
He has a large German Shepard, almost completely black and over 100 pounds. He calls him 'Gordo', which in Spanish means 'fat'. He is gentle with his daughter. She was quite energetic and chatty. Quite comfortable practicing her cheer leader routine for a pee-wee football team. She is nine. I watched their interactions with interest. I looked for fear - there was none. I looked for caution - there was none. While eating her pizza, she happily said, "Daddy, sit here next to me." I had to concede that they were comfortable together.
He was easily led in my conversation with him. Perhaps not led as I don't see him as a follower. He told me his biological father beat him every day from age two until age seven when he left and was imprisoned for robbery. He added that his father was supporting a drug habit. He also said that he had a good step father and that his real father was of no influence once he left. He spoke of his militant look and explained that his uncles were in the Marines and that he was raised in that discipline. He spoke of a 'white supremacy' impact and a close association with members of the KKK. He spoke of prejudice and much to my surprise said, "there are niggers and there is white trash"....I was quite taken back by this comment on many levels. I chose not to continue with that subject.
He spoke of his Mother being someone he doesn't get along with because she has too many opinions/advice. about his life. I asked if he was open to constructive criticism and he clearly said he was not. I spoke to him about our family and that I would not expect him to be someone he was not, however I would hope that how, what he did affected us would matter. It was a point of contention where he 'dug his heels in'. He said "I didn't do anything wrong so if you thought badly about me that's on you, I didn't do anything wrong." I wondered why it wasn't important to him to 'clear the air'. He was clear that he hoped there could be good feelings between us but there was nothing he could do/be differently to make that happen. I spoke of his lack of job security, his glaring at my husband, his marital status, his 'rough-play' with my daughter, and everything else that troubled us. He absorbed it well although I am unclear about what he did with it. He did react favorably to one aspect: I spoke to him about every parent hopes that their children will find a life's partner that is their biggest fan, like a cheer leader for all that is good and even not so good about them. I told him that if hey are not each other's cheer-leaders they should free one another to find someone that is. He has since, made many fun comments about that to my daughter, with light humor and good intention. This got him a few points.
I am still very unsure about him. I am not able to receive/welcome him as my daughter's boyfriend. I am cordial and kind and VERY cautious. I have barriers up because I am not comfortable around him. Meanwhile, she is being very welcomed in to his family dynamic, as is her son. So much so that she and her son slept at his Mother's house (which is where he lives), on Christmas Eve. They all opened gifts together in the morning and feasted on a hearty breakfast. Jen and Jo'el came her for Christmas dinner without him - I knew she was disappointed when we said , "not this year." She didn't stay long and when my son brought them back to her apartment he was there with his daughter making a pasta dish for the two of them. They are still together today - he didn't work at all this week.
I guess I am going to eventually have to be more inviting. Part of me doesn't want to 'see/know' anymore - fearing the worst. Or maybe I will learn something I can celebrate. It feels like way too much of a risk. I know I see history repeating itself - and there is nothing I can do to stop it except not be part of it. It is a very tough position to be in. Very tough indeed.

Gail
peace......

10 comments:

Utah Savage said...

Wow! Is there a beginning to this that I can go back and read? Very interesting. Sometimes therapists are a bit "narrow" in their view or "normal." I speak of myself of course as the potential problem for what my therapists view of as "normal." Not all abnormal is abnormal, but an adaptation or a reaction to what was "normal" in their past. But you know that. Being an outsider of the prevailing culture of "normal" can make one a bit fierce in protecting the self from destruction to to make it more palatable to the "normal" who can seem very dull indeed to the "abnormal." Know what I mean?

NAVAL LANGA said...

to Ms. Gail

I liked the use of some of the phrases:

One example: "nods in the silences between words"

You narrate the scene in a lucid manner, making the readers' eyes posted on the words.


Naval Langa
http://humorhumour.blogspot.com/

Utah Savage said...

I know I posted a comment last night, why did you choose to keep it out of sigh? I realize it's you place and perhaps you didn't like my take on this situation, but, I very curious why.

Gail said...

First to UTAH!

I JUST READ your comment this morning. I am so sorry you felt I wouldn't publish your amazing words.
ANd I so get the normal/abnormal. I wrote a post titled just that. If you get a second to read it you will see. :-)
Again, I am SO sorry you had even a moment of concern.

Love,
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

Hi Naval-

"Thank you" for your thoughts on my writings. I liked that line alot too. :-)

Love,
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

Utah-

The post called "North and South is a prelude to this one, I forgot to mention that in my earlier reply to you.

Naj said...

Hi dear Gail,

I commented on your comment in my blog :) Of course i didn't think you are complacent! How could "anyone" who is curious to read/write blogs be that?

You do have fine story telling abilities though ...

Comrade Kevin said...

Your description of him makes me feel uncomfortable.

Gail said...

Hi Naj-
I wrote back to you on your blog too. I love this honest communication so much. "Thank you" for letting me know that I am 'worth your while'... it means a lot to me.

Love Gail,peace,,,,,

Gail said...

Hi Kevin -
So be my dilemma. sigh......

Love me