My daughter was born on a Friday. She is loving and giving. Her love for me gave me back my life. I had a few crises of the soul when I was younger. I seemed to always trip over my own two feet. Dead-end, mediocre, menial jobs occupied my financial life. I partied every off minute and lead a debauched existence.
My daughter’s father entertained me with amusing, witty stories. Is there a better reason to have a relationship with someone? Back then I didn’t think so. That man could weave a yarn. Pie in the sky tales, funny, sarcastic jokes, wild dreams and promises of castles in the sky that we would build together.
He lived in Canada. I even visited him there early in our relationship and I continued with him after discovering he lived with a friend in his friend’s apartment and he had no car. I believed all of the stupid reasons for his situation. I knew better even then but thought so poorly of myself that I ignored my better judgment. Neither of us were children at this point. I was twenty-seven when I got pregnant, he was (brace yourself) forty-four.
I moved to Canada. We lived with his friend. I couldn’t work. The Canadian economy wasn’t too great and they didn’t want to hire an American. The only car we had was mine. I ended up being stuck in Niagara Falls bored out of my mind, pregnant and with a bunch of unfulfilled promises. The last straw for me (six months pregnant) was when he wouldn’t go to work because he wanted to go bowling. I finally woke up.
I wrote a note saying bye. I packed my car up and moved back to Jersey and never looked back.
This really touched me. I am sorry you had such a difficult journey at that point in your life. But, I am very glad for your daughter having been born, and that you got out of that situation as early as you did.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for a good story too. And those who tell me the best, always get my attention. I am learning that there are more things in life, than being able to articulate them.
ReplyDeleteVery touching, Ness. But I think you're not giving yourself enough credit (what else is new). I mean, you packed up, left and started a new life for yourself.
How many can say that?
This guy sounds like one of my brother-in-laws. I'm sorry that you had to go through all that, just to find that he was no good. It's great to hear that you didn't stand for it, in the end.
ReplyDeleteDorkette: Thanks for your sympathy. My daughter is the best thing that ever happened to me.
ReplyDeleteJenn: I'm still a sucker for a good story, but now I try not to fall in love with the story teller. Your right, I did get myself out, but I also got myself in. I take credit for both actions.
The Grunt: I hold no grudge. He is what he is and deep down I knew that. I got the best part of the deal.
Glaciermeow: Yes, my daughter is the best gift I've ever gotten.