What Follows

[Teresa]

My father-in-law left Tuesday morning after a short visit.  The eighty-three year old is hoping his life will improve significantly since the bed he shared with his ex-wife for twenty-three years was finally hauled out of his garage over the weekend, a symbol of her infidelity almost a quarter of a century ago.

 

He still believes the ex cursed him to a lifetime of loneliness, that she assigned demons and an assortment of annoying spirits to follow him around, even to my house. 

 

Now he thinks the curses extend to the rest of us, that they caused my son's autism and the anencephaly of his daughter's child who will be born and buried this October.

 

A few days in his company causes a metallic taste in my mouth and a burn in my gut, either because he really is a cursed man or simply insane, or maybe I just feel the weight of his refusal to let go of the past, a flaw he'd rather blame on demons and the woman who left him.

 

I tried to walk him out the front door Tuesday but he insisted on exiting through the garage, the way he'd come in when he arrived, "So that I don't leave what follows me behind."

 

 

[Mike Handley]

The demons are manifestations of his own denial and culpability. Man, that sounded good. Maybe I need to purchase a pipe and a sofa.

[Gloria Watts]

A difficult situation, maybe he will eventually find some inner peace - obviously he needs some kind of healing.

Glroia

[Teresa]

Thanks guys.  Here's what's really scary:  His DNA is in my two youngest children...  No wonder my husband didn't want me around these people until after we married.  NOTE TO SELF:  Check credit scores of potential spouses and DNA history before marrying/procreating.  We've all got DNA flaws, but the worst is having zero sense of humor.  His is the unfunniest family I've ever met.  If you're gonna be nuts, you have to know how to laugh.  Horrors.... 

[Judy Thompson]

Thank god on your KNEES,  teresa, that the word "in-law" is there.  and remind yourself that you are not physically related.  

Yeah, sage, a little cinnamon, and walk backwards, once, through all the doors he walked through.

You never know.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

I hope these visits are few and far between.  Being around an unhappy person is contagious.

[Gita]

This reminds me of Maritzer's Second Axiom which is "It is not possible to stay well when those around you are sick."

Some people are toxic. They just are. You can say evil spirits have attached to them; you can say they sociopathic; you can choose whatever explanation fits your world view. But the fact remains that they are toxic and when you live with them, it is not possible after a while to stay healthy, emotionally or otherwise. Burn some sage inside your home with the windows open and burn the sheets he slept on!

[Angela]

Your six is well written and authentic.  I hope he finds some peace.

[Dude A Bydes]

We make our own heaven and hell... Nice sketch, Teresa. -Dude

[Joey Delgado]

This is great writing, Teresa. It's always sad to see unhappy and angry elderly people, who were once unhappy and angry young people, becuase you want them to have that breakthrough that will change their outlook on life. Hope that happens for this gentleman.

[Sandra Davies]

I think my throat would ache from suppressed screams.