Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Chauffeur




Today as if my magic my step son and his wife had me carpeting them to the train station because they know I am the early riser and could I take them to the train station to get their visas for their upcoming two month hiatus to China.  I agreed because I so easily slip back into my  people pleasing mode and frankly it was not out of my way as I was headed to a spin class at my gym.  I told them that I could take them to the 4 minutes after the hour train and they agreed so they could avoid the carfare and they  didn’t feel they could ask their mother as she is not an early riser.  
However, both of them think that tardiness is a virtue and they had me waiting to taxi them.  Not a big deal I told myself but the resentment reared its ugly head again as my son has marshaled himself yet another vacation and this one, two months in duration. I reminded myself that they would be out of the house and the hotel I run was closed. Then it dawned on me that they would be back for yet another stint as I head into my junior year housing the married immigrant couple upstairs. Do I sound disgruntled?  I love them dearly but when do these robins leave the nest?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

We will leave very soon, I promise Jack Briant. Your a good sport to deal with our shit. I'm not ungrateful for all the things that you have done for us, so please don't think that. In my mind, I refill the water all the time since I tend to be the one who drinks it all the time. I see now that this is a major situation for you so I will take better care to make sure there is enough water in the container for your morning coffee.I also contact people everyday for work (plumbing, construction, painting, roofing, and even my cousin at a bath club), has anyone called me back after the numerous voicemails I leave? No. So am I a lazy ass in your house? I guess in your mind. Do I wish that the China trip wasn't for me, and I found a career,moved out, bought a house, and started a family?, what do you think? But are the tickets bought, and I am still young, as you would say, and taking the opportunity of the life that I am lucky to have to visit China once again with my wife to see my in-laws for one last vacation before I fall asleep into this dream world of working and hopefully get a 2 week vacation, if I am lucky?. Sorry for such a long run on sentence. Well the truth is Jack, we want out of here, more badly then you want us out of here. The point is Jack, you blow things out of proportion. I didn't make you drive me, and I always try to do things in your favor, I just asked if you could drive us to the train. Yes your up in the morning, but do I ask you everyday? hey Jack your up, can you drive me here? Just tell me how many times I have requested this from you. I don't know, I'm not mad at all, just think its very funny. Jack, I take you very seriously, and I couldn't be any more thankful for what you have done for me, my sisters, my mother, and most importantly, my wife. Without you, I couldn't have brought her here with my financial situation. I have told you many times and again, I will repay you, I have full intentions to give back to you, as you have given to me. When you are old, I will be there to take care of you, I just wish you could understand that, and not take taking care of me as such a job, or lets say pain. You are a father, you may have not birthed me into this world with my mother, and having children may have not been your main priority, but you took me in. I didn't beg you or choose to be born into this life, but I am here, and in my opinion, I am a pretty good step-son to have. What have I done so bad? it seems there will always be something wrong for you in me, I hope things will be better for you when I finally do leave, or "leave the nest' as you say. I never wanted to give you pain. I'm trying Jack, I'm sorry I can't snap my fingers and make things great. After this trip when I return, you"ll see how hard I can work to get out of here, I will do it as fast as I can, we want a life too.I'm 25 Jack, not 30, not 40, not close to 60. Maybe your life was harder when you were 25, and you didn't get the opportunity as I did, but you know what, its too bad that you can't be happy for me to have it. I know for sure, that when I have kids (birthed, adopted, or even a step-child), I would hope they take on the opportunity for an even better life then I have. Whats the point to be sour for a loved one to have an easy path, why must it be pain and agony. Ok, well I am going off on a rant. I'm sorry Jack, maybe you are right and know it best. I'll try to get it right.

Anonymous said...

We will leave very soon, I promise Jack Briant. Your a good sport to deal with our shit. I'm not ungrateful for all the things that you have done for us, so please don't think that. In my mind, I refill the water all the time since I tend to be the one who drinks it all the time. I see now that this is a major situation for you so I will take better care to make sure there is enough water in the container for your morning coffee.I also contact people everyday for work (plumbing, construction, painting, roofing, and even my cousin at a bath club), has anyone called me back after the numerous voicemails I leave? No. So am I a lazy ass in your house? I guess in your mind. Do I wish that the China trip wasn't for me, and I found a career,moved out, bought a house, and started a family?, what do you think? But are the tickets bought, and I am still young, as you would say, and taking the opportunity of the life that I am lucky to have to visit China once again with my wife to see my in-laws for one last vacation before I fall asleep into this dream world of working and hopefully get a 2 week vacation, if I am lucky?. Sorry for such a long run on sentence. Well the truth is Jack, we want out of here, more badly then you want us out of here. The point is Jack, you blow things out of proportion. I didn't make you drive me, and I always try to do things in your favor, I just asked if you could drive us to the train. Yes your up in the morning, but do I ask you everyday? hey Jack your up, can you drive me here? Just tell me how many times I have requested this from you. I don't know, I'm not mad at all, just think its very funny. Jack, I take you very seriously, and I couldn't be any more thankful for what you have done for me, my sisters, my mother, and most importantly, my wife. Without you, I couldn't have brought her here with my financial situation. I have told you many times and again, I will repay you, I have full intentions to give back to you, as you have given to me. When you are old, I will be there to take care of you, I just wish you could understand that, and not take taking care of me as such a job, or lets say pain. You are a father, you may have not birthed me into this world with my mother, and having children may have not been your main priority, but you took me in.

Anonymous said...

I didn't beg you or choose to be born into this life, but I am here, and in my opinion, I am a pretty good step-son to have. What have I done so bad? it seems there will always be something wrong for you in me, I hope things will be better for you when I finally do leave, or "leave the nest' as you say. I never wanted to give you pain. I'm trying Jack, I'm sorry I can't snap my fingers and make things great. After this trip when I return, you"ll see how hard I can work to get out of here, I will do it as fast as I can, we want a life too.I'm 25 Jack, not 30, not 40, not close to 60. Maybe your life was harder when you were 25, and you didn't get the opportunity as I did, but you know what, its too bad that you can't be happy for me to have it. I know for sure, that when I have kids (birthed, adopted, or even a step-child), I would hope they take on the the opportunity for an even better life then I have. Whats the point to be sour for a loved one to have an easy path, why must it be pain and agony. Ok, well I am going off on a rant. I'm sorry Jack, maybe you are right and know it best. I'll try to get it right.