calling home

[katekat]

It's not as if she slurs. You'd think those slips of tongue would be the obvious signs. Those tell tales would be the ones that tip her hand. But she doesn't slur, and so that's not what tells me. It's some other sense, some daughter-bond that isn't ever supposed to be activated. Some painful awareness that tells me she's just a little too mercurial.

There was a reason I stopped calling at night. I'd just forgotten it. A reason I moved further away, let bonds of love hang loosely.

It twists my gut with anger, that bastard form of fear. Because I know the multitude of reasons. I've proffered the excuses, the forgive and forget reasons why. But ultimately no excuse is excuse enough to make my heart slow down, to keep my voice steady, to make it all alright.

She conflates me with herself, and I shudder at the vehemence in my voice, when I try to remind her that I am not her other self, not her second half, not her ... not her. I know I'm breaking something when I do that. When I draw her up short with my own certainty. It's guilt and shame and fear combined that makes me do it, and a desperate longing to be different, to be other, to be my own.

She calls me a writer and 'I'm a critic' is what I return. How can the fundamental me be so obvious and so obscured to her? The great American novel will never be mine. I'll never seek to wrest the great American soul into some definable shape, with words and wilted longings. It's not her domain either, but she thinks it is. How can she forget that what I love is the subtle weaving, the theory and practice, the walk on a tightrope between scorn and wonder? That's me.

And I set the phone down, the call made, the pit of my stomach churning, and wonder, who is she?

Comments

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

*hugs* That doesn't sound like fun at all. Lovely post, though...

[katekat]

Thanks. Thanks a lot. I'm trying to be productive with the whole emotional baggage... not sure if it's working, or if i'm wallowing, but isn't that the way of it?

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know that feeling. I think it's working, though, at least for you.

[katekat]

well, it's a start. some things never go away... but at least it let me kinda stop clenching it so tight, you know?

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

I know. I didn't really mean internally, 'cause only you can judge that. But I know from experience how much it can help just to say something.

[katekat]

Word.

[phendog.livejournal.com]

Powerful stuff. Dare I ask?

[katekat]

long mommie story. the short summary? alcoholism sucks. divorce sucks. being an only child, though usually kind of cool, also occasionally sucks.

but i'm working it out through writing. lol.

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

Why did I think you have a sister?

[katekat]

because i have three step sisters that i've had since i was 3 years old, so i kinda count them. except that their mom is much saner than my mom.

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

Oh, ouch.

Gorgeous, powerful writing, though.

Art from pain... but yeah, still with the pain, eh?

[katekat]

Thank you lady. Thank you very much.

but yeah, still with the pain, eh?

and, yeah, it's still there. Probably always will be. But ... what would we be if there wasn't any pain at all? (this is me trying to look in the bright side). Thanks for reading.

[beadattitude.livejournal.com]

I don't know what's worse - phone calls like these, or good phone calls that make you forget the bad phone calls and then a bad phone call. ::hugs you::

I'm sorry. Your post was beautiful, though.

[katekat]

I don't know what's worse - phone calls like these, or good phone calls that make you forget the bad phone calls and then a bad phone call.

too right. of course, life is always murkier than we want it to be.

(and thanks - glad the post touched you)

I'm sorry, Kate

[gray-ghost.livejournal.com]

Parents can be hell, sometimes =( I still haven't figured out who my parents are. Sometimes I think I'm adopted.

You're nothing like your mom though. Not that your mom isn't wonderful when she's not drinking, but the two of you are nothing a like.

Re: I'm sorry, Kate

[katekat]

thanks pumpkin. it helps to know that - that I'm nothing like her. Most people point out the similarities, you know? Makes me even more terrified.

And I've often wondered if you were switched at birth (ok, kidding, really). I'm not sure if we're ever really supposed to figure out who our parents are, because if we did, I don't think we'd be particularly pleased with it, you know?

[dara-starscream.livejournal.com]

And you dont' know if loving her makes it better or worse.

(hugs you)

Why is it nice normal emotionally healthy families seem to be exceptions rather than rules? And if they are exceptions, why do we consider them "normal"?

(pets your hair)
-BJ

[katekat]

And you dont' know if loving her makes it better or worse.

You've got that right. Sometimes I think it'd be easier if I didn't.

(hugs you)

Thanks.

Why is it nice normal emotionally healthy families seem to be exceptions rather than rules? And if they are exceptions, why do we consider them "normal"?

I really hate that whole 'normal' definition because it truly doesn't exist... and it hurts everyone I've ever known in some way or another. But hey, humans tend to generalize no matter what, so there you go, general idea. But yeah, there's always a ton of exceptions to any normal rule. Yay exceptions!