Sh*t Went Down

Well crap. 41 text messages and 6 phone calls later here I am. Well crap.

It all started severl family meetings ago when it was "allegedly" decided that after last weekends trip to Oakdale I would no longer be allowed to travel ANYWHERE until I found a job. I do not recall this.

Flash forward (sort of) to last Tuesday when i said goodbye to my family in Oakdale to head back to San jose. Everyone begged me to come back the next weekend since it was the last weekend Sarah would be around and Emily was going to be heading to Oakdale from San Jose anyway. I said "I will try". I made no promises not knowing how Kari, my step-mom, would react.

Tuesday I came home and my dad arived from work aroud 5 and I told him my plans on going back to Oakdale. He said no problem and I assumed everything would work out afer that. Unfortunately I forgot that I was suppose to notify Kari before dad as a new rule she enacted and also that dad is unreliable when it comes to relaying information back to certain people . . . namely KARI.

Then last night, Thursday, before I was going to leave for Oakdale today, Friday, I talked to dad to see if he had told Kari my plans. He said no. He forgot. He still didn't have any issue with me going, but e said I needed to tell Kari. So I quickly sent her a text before heading off to bed giving her a heads up hat I would be leaving for Oakdale the next day for theweekend to visit with my step-sister Sarah who flew all the way out from Arkansas to visit.

What does all this mean? It means last night at 12:00 my dad came in, woke me up, and told me I couldn't go to Oakdale. He was angry and said we had all agreed I wouldn't go anywhere until I got a job. I was confused and tired so I said OK, intending to deal with the issue in the morning. 2 seconds later dad and Kari broke out ito an arguement in their room. She was crying and yelling at dad saying I had no right to go to Oakdale and on and on . . .

So then I woke up this morning and received a text from Kari saying the following "Jess, I thought we agreed you weren't going to take trips after last weekend until you are paying your fair share in life. I am sorry if this seems harsh, but it's not righ that you keep getting a free ride. Love you and want what's best for you. You are a adult and can do what you want, but I need to be clear where I stand". I essentially got my ass hande to me. I text Kari back explaining that Sarah had paid to come here for the week to be with family and that she wasn't coming back for Xmas and it could be another year before I saw her again. Kari didn't respond. I accepted what was said and told my sister I would not be coming with her to Oakdale.

Right before Emily left, I got a text from Sarah asking when we'd be heading out. I told her I wasn't coming. Sarah then text me asked why. I explained to her that I couldn't leave until I had a job. I was sort of grounded. Sarah called mom, then mom called me. Mom was pissed. Se didn't understand why I couldn't come, and I was entirely certain either.

My thoughts: 1) I can't get a job over the weekend other than by applying to them over the internet, which can be accessed anywhere including Oakdale. No weekend job interviews. No reason why I need to be physically present in San Jose. 2) I wanted to see Sarah. That's what the whole trip was about. 3) She said it wasn;t a punishment but I definitely feels like I'm being punished for not having a job. 4) Kari said that if I had a job I wouldn't be able to see Sarah anyway - but people don't work on weekends. If I had a job I would use my free weekend to come to Oakdale. 5) Sarah can't come to San Jose to viit. She's already made plans this weeken so the only way I could see her is to go there.

What a mess. Mom started texting dad about what a jerk he was being for holding me prisoner - her words. For me, dad didn't have a problem with me going until Kari did, so dad is currently speaking on behalf of Kari's sentiments, not his own -as usual.

Emily left the house and I opted to stay. Kari scres me. I don;t know what she would do to "punish me" for going to Oakdale anyway,but let's keep in mind this is the same woman who says I can't visit with my sister who flew all the way in from Arkansas until I find a job. Not exactly opperating on reasonable levels of reasoning.

Then Sarah texted Kari and according to Sarah she pleaded her case to let me come and a civilzed conversation ensued. Acording to mom Sarah told Kari she should let me come and Kari started insulting her and treating her like crap. Either way I got a call from Kari 2 minutes later after Sarah texted me "I talked to her. things should be better now". This whole time Sarah and mom were telling me to pack up an leave. They even suggested I move back to Oakdale.

So then I talked to Kari. At this point I was on the verge of tears. I decided with all the verbal warfare going on and battle lines being drawn I should ie low and hold my post until the dust settled. I wasn't going anywher until I got the go ahead from Kari. Kari talked wth me. I assured her I was in neutralsville, not siding with anyone. I told her I wanted to see Sarah, but I understood where she was coming from and wouldn't be going anywhere until it was deemed alright. I live with Kari. her house, her rules. I can't afford to live on my own unfortuantely. I would have opted to long ago if I had the option. Kari stood on principles, nothing more. There is no logic or compassion attached to her reasons. Just principles.

After that call ended and I was told I could not travel anywhere until I was employed, mom called again asking me to move to Oakdale. Then dad called saying mom was sending him crazy texts at work and that I should give Em a call to let her know what was going on. He then said he was worried that mom wouldn't let Emily come back to San Jose and that she would essentially hold Emily hostage. I said Em had school on Monday and I was pretty sure she was coming back.

All this time, I was getting dressed, eating breakfast, packing in case Kari changed her mind and I got the go ahead, and incepting texts and calls every 2 seconds.

Bring! Just got a new one 2 seconds ago. Go figure. Emily has just confirmed she will not be held hpstage because she has school on Monday so "she can try, but no dice".

The last couple of texts were cease fire and surrender. I told Sarah to have a good day, despite of everything. She said the same back and said "I don;t know why you put up with that crap". Emily called saying she had made it to Oakdale. "Sorry you can't come". Then mom called and ou final conversation ended with me telling her I would talk to dad and Kari when they got home to see if maybe I could go to Oakdale on Saturday r Sunday. Today is a no go.

The lsat thing I text for myself was to my Twitter. "Sometimes I think about watching Clash of the Titans. Then days like today hit and I realize I don't need to see it becuse I've already lived it".