Stephanie Drops In

My mother-in-law dropped by this afternoon. It was the first time we'd seen her since New Year's Eve. I had invited her for dinner last Sunday, but the weather was bad and she ended up canceling.

Tab was upstairs in the bedroom reading the Chess for Kids book. Daniel wants to play chess with his father, and Tab needed a refresher as he's pretty rusty. The twins were napping, Daniel was playing on the computer, and I was dozing upstairs on Daniel's bed when the doorbell rang. And there was Stephanie on our doorstep, peace offerings in hand.

She had brought goldfish crackers, fudge stripe cookies, and a package of cherry tomatoes for the boys. She and Tab's cousin, Lorraine (our next door neighbor) were on their way to Aunt Dot's church for a memorial Mass for Uncle John.

It was strange and a little awkward at first. We made small talk about the weather and about Aunt Dot and her daughter, Johnatha, who has come up from Florida for the memorial Mass. Stephanie didn't offer any apology for her insulting behavior when last we saw her; but I have learned not to expect any from her. Never apologize, never explain seems to be her motto.

Nor did Tab apologize for yelling at her when he came downstairs. He brought down some of the things we've been saving for her: two of her tupperware containers she'd left here, assorted newspaper clippings, a few CDs that were late-arriving Christmas presents. He also had a box containing several photo albums, which he asked his mother to take to her friends, Mary and Pete. Tab had photographed Pete's 75th birthday party, and the albums contained the party pictures.

Stephanie refused to take the albums, however. It seems that now she is not talking to Mary and Pete. I can't say I'm surprised.

<<previous : email me : index : next>>