17. Sebastian #3
Mom and Dad were together for almost a year before she got pregnant, but sometimes I wonder if he already had one foot out the door before I came along and they got married instead.
She’d never tell me that, of course. She claims they had a whirlwind romance and quick wedding because they were in love, but I can do the math.
They lasted until my third birthday, and as far as I know, that’s the longest relationship Joseph Rossi has ever had.
He and Sarah’s mother split up when my little sister was still in diapers.
“That’s true.” I take a bite of my roast to keep myself from elaborating. It’s not like my father’s relationship issues are a surprise to me.
“How old is this one? Older than you, at least?” Mom tries to keep her voice even, but there’s a bitter undertone and Penny flinches.
“I didn’t ask,” I reply dryly. “I try not to get invested.”
My mother gives a cynical laugh. “That’s for the best.”
“Anyway, I haven’t seen him in years, so I guess it’ll be nice to have him here.
” I stare into my water glass. I know how he is, and I’ve been burned before, but part of me wants to see my dad again and see how we relate to each other as adults now.
To know what he thinks about his fully grown son.
That’s how it works in normal families, right?
Penny sighs and puts her hand on mine. “Of course you want to see him. He’s your father.”
Of all my family members, Penelope is the one who has seen my reactions to Dad most clearly—I always tried to hold it together in front of everyone.
My mother tried to protect me from Dad’s fickleness, but I know she feels guilty that I ended up with such a dud for a father.
It was usually Penny who found me attacking the punching bag in the basement or going on a rampage in a video game after my dad ditched me at the last minute yet again.
“I know what he’s like. He might not even come after all. Don’t worry about me. I don’t expect him to suddenly be father of the year.”
But he might. He might fly up just to see me.
Mom’s lips thin to a straight line. I can tell she’s itching to tell me to guard myself, but I’m already there. “I know you don’t,” she says, after a moment. “But I’m still sorry about it.”
I can tell she’s close to going into a guilt spiral about how bad it is that I didn’t get the full father experience that Penny and Curtis did—Raymond was certainly Super Dad to them, even if he wasn’t keen on being an involved stepfather. I catch Penny’s eye and we both start talking at once.
“So anyway, I forgot to tell you about the play I saw last week,” Penelope starts, just as I ask about Mom’s paint nights.
“You kids,” Mom scoffs, shaking her head. “I can see what you’re doing.” Still, she lets us chatter on, and soon the mood is light again.
I stay until late in the evening, watching TV with Mom long after my sister has left to drive back north. I almost forget about Ashley and Jared and even Dad until I’m headed home and find a bunch of texts from my father asking how my weekend went.
Mr. Six Reel (with transcript)
Mr. Six appears in his baseball cap wearing a hand-knit sweater.
“Hey there! It’s Mr. Six. Usually I like to talk about my own dating experiences and my favorite things to do here in the Six, but I’m curious for all of you out there, how much does your family know about your love life?
“Growing up, I would see those television shows where girls went straight to their mom to talk about the ups and downs of dating, or teenage boys would get sage advice from their fathers, and it was a little weird. My dad is [clears throat] well, let’s just say he wasn’t the Leave It To Beaver type, even when he managed to be around, which wasn’t often.
“My mom is great, but she really wants there to be a Mrs. Six one of these days, so I steer clear of mentioning any woman in case she gets the wrong idea. But from my friends, I gather that some people tell their parents and siblings about their dating experiences, even [shudders] the sex stuff. Personally, I would rather set myself on fire than hear about my siblings’ bedroom activities.
“So tell me, online friends, what do you share with your families? Where is the line?”
Comments:
I tell my mom everything. She raised me alone and we’re kind of best friends. Not sure if that’s healthy or not, but that’s how it is. I’ve learned, though, that if I say too much about an ex, we can’t get back together because I might be able to forgive, but she never will!
I would bleach my brain if I had to hear sex details from a family member.
No thank you. The most my parents get is if there’s a new someone in my life.
I like to believe my little sister and her live-in boyfriend play checkers all evening and go to sleep in separate rooms. Let me live with the delusion.
Aw, your poor mother! I hope she doesn’t watch this. It’s pretty clear you’re not in it for the long haul. LOL
TBH I usually think you’re a bit of a tool, but I’m sorry you had a shitty dad. No one deserves that.