3 years. I haven't seen, heard, or talked to my parents since 2009. They didn't even come to my wedding. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life and they couldn't forgive me for 2 hours while I gave my life to the man I love. And now? They want to be a part of Austins life? Who do they think they are all of a sudden?
I had to leave. I had to get out of this town. Having my parents here would only make me even more claustrophobic. There are only so many places to hide.
Austin and I caught the red eye flight and we arrived at Coopers house around 6:50 Friday morning. Cooper and I have known each other forever. If Graham and I hadn't discovered each other, I probably would have ended up with Cooper. He's brilliant, funny, smart, good looking and most importantly would do anything to help a friend out. Graham and Cooper weren't the greatest of friends until after Graham and I got married. Graham always felt threatened by Cooper and my relationship with him.
Like I said, Cooper would do anything to help a friend out and that's how I'm sitting here looking out over the Ocean so spur of the moment. Cooper had a lot of surprises in store for me. We went out to a quick kid friendly dinner one night, drank wine on the porch, and took a beach walk two nights ago.
Last night was a different story. I woke up to Cooper caring for Austin, who barely slept last night.When I woke up Cooper had a bouquet of Roses sitting next to my bed along with a mimosa. Boy did I need it! Cooper told me he'd hired a babysitter for the night and that he bought tickets for a concert.
Little did I know, my parents had contacted Cooper and they were going to babysit my son. This is far from what I ever expected and something I never wanted.
The next 45 minutes I stood with my parents, Cooper and little Austin in sight screaming at the top of my lungs. I was acting like a teenager again I was having a temper tantrum at 25 years old. I wouldn't let them touch Austin. Austin was crying, I was crying and my parents were crying.
Finally Cooper got me into a room, one that I had never seen before in this 4 story modern beach house, where he calmed me down. I hated him. I was so angry with him. I wanted nothing more than to go back home. I left the comfort of the Sminote's house in order to avoid my parents. I was planning on having a nice vacation enjoying the company of a man I can call my best friend. But of course with my luck, they show up here.
"I wanted nothing to do with my parents Copper! You have to understand what I have been through with them. I have fought too many battles that have ended badly. I am independent and I have moved on from them. Just like I am trying to do now with my Graham situation."
"Your Graham situation Riley? Do you realize how long it took ME to get over YOU? After you chose Graham over be because he was more "established in his career"? Is my being a lawyer not good enough for you?"
"Cooper? Are you really making this about you? Do you know what I've been through?"
"You've told me, hell and back. But you have to stop. It's been 7 months. You have to live for you and stop wanting people to feel sorry for you. I brought your parents here because they want to rekindle their relationship with you. This is for your own benefit and the benefit of your son. You can't let him grow up not knowing his father and then on top of that not knowing his grandparents. Let them babysit him Ri. It will be good for him. And good for you. They supported you through college and they want to support you now. Forget the past, you have a whole future to live for."
"3 years Cooper! I can't get that time back!"
I was furious, but Cooper was right, I stopped hating him for the time being and realized why he was my best friend again. We proceeded to go to the concert and when we got home Austin was sound asleep. I don't know how my parents got him to sleep, that child only ever sleeps when I need to be awake.
But then I remembered, they'd raised me and my 5 siblings. They were experts by the time they got to me. For the first time in 3 years I was thankful for them and all they had ever done for me. I actually considered forgiving them and trying to love them again. Too soon though.
I'm not quite ready to move on from the pain of the last 3 years.
No comments:
Post a Comment