Similarities and Differences

Different Extremes

Saturday, August 19

I can't believe it's August 19. Writing this blog, making YouTube videos, reading, and raising a child takes away all my free time.

This month started off pretty well, and then I kind of had a rough patch. This last week has been better, but yesterday was kind of a downer. Aunt Jen, the principal of the school that I am now a teacher at, said some pretty rude things to me yesterday on the first day.

Ironically, her son, Eric, wanted to go to the fair. He moved two hours away for a new job at a camp. He didn't wanna go with his parents, so I told him I would go with him. Ava was mad at me for not inviting her. Sometimes I just need to hang out with people and not with Ava. I need adult time. Whitney decided to watch her. Mike and Jen didn't need to know that Eric was in town.

Eric got into town around eight this morning because he wanted to go to the fair before it got really busy. I didn't really want to be there in the evening either.

"So, how was your first day of school?" he asked me as we sat down for lunch. I was having a kabob.

I didn't really want to tell him the truth because his mom is my boss, and she roasted me yesterday. "Uhhh..." I bit my lip.

"What happened?" Eric knows me pretty well, and I knew he already knew something was going on.

"She told me that I wasn't worthy to work at her school."

Eric raised his eyebrows a bit, and then reasoned a bit, sighing. "Yeah, well, that's something she would probably say to you." I stared at my kabob. Those are messy. Fair food is messy. Maybe they should charge everyone an extra two dollars to get into the fair to provide us with wet wipes. "She thinks you're like your mom because you have similar characteristics in certain ways."

"What do you mean?" For the record, I have done almost everything in my power to not be like my mom.

"You like to do things your own way." I pressed my lips together, glaring a little. "And I see her side of it. I really do. You didn't have a good parent growing up, so you're not perfect with Ava. You don't always have her best interests at heart when it's not convenient for you."

Ouch.

I couldn't look into his eyes. That one hurt. I didn't say anything for a moment. "Does it really look like I don't have Ava's best interests at heart? I mean, sure, I'm not perfect, but no parent is. I have done everything I could to be the best I could be for her. The reason why I am the one raising her is because I wanted her, and she knows that. She knows how much I love her. I make sure of it, Eric. What have I done to disprove that?"

He took in a deep breath. His face was red because he knew that he had hurt me. "Okay, I'm sorry. That didn't come out right. I was, out of instinct, trying to defend my mother. I know you have given everything up for Ava. That wasn't a courteous thing to say. I think my mom thinks that though because of the fact you let her watch The Bachelor and other shows that are way too mature for her. My mom doesn't think you should leave Ava home alone for a long period of time. We've had long conversations about this, and she thinks Ava is more of a drag for you."

"Ava is far from that. Maybe your mom thinks that because that's how she would feel."

Eric nodded a little. "You're probably right, and I'm sorry you have to tolerate her."

I shrugged. "I just don't want her to fire me, ya know? I mean, we moved all the way across the country, and I don't know how hard getting another job up here is if you just got fired, ya know?"

"Are you actually worried about that?"

"Yeah, your mom doesn't like me at all."

"No, that's not true. She offered you the job because she thought you needed it."

"I had a fine job in Alabama."

"Last I checked, you kind of hated it." Eric took a sip of his water. "Look, man, I know you think my mom hates you. She doesn't. A lot of times I think she hates me, too. In fact, I don't even want to talk to her much, so I pity you, but she's my mom. In a way, we both know what it's like to have parents that are less than satisfactory, but to different extremes. She's not gonna fire you because my dad adores you. We know how strong you are. Even my mom knows that. I think everyone prioritizes things over their kids at some point. That came out wrong though. I'm sorry."

It made me feel a little better.