House Pests When I asked Tita Elby [Inay’s caregiver] how she got to our house this morning, she said my uncle dropped her off. I was temporarily confused & wondered who she was talking about. Then I remembered about Tito Gilbert. I’d forgotten about our relation & assumed it must be because of his family’s lack of involvement in Inay’s recovery. Nonetheless, Tita Elby was talking about her husband. ____________________________________ I’m certain almost everyone has opened their homes in welcome to someone at some point. The gesture starts with kindness & hospitality, but we all have our own limits on how long said guest(s) should stay. Since returning from the nursing home, Inay has been staying our place, give or take a couple weeks when she was at Tita Nene’s. The transition wasn’t so bad at first. But then I started noticing how the smallest things can readily ignite an argument, with most, if not all, of them with Inay as the source of the problem. Why should we have to spend money on food she only takes one bite out of?? Certain people in the house already constantly complain about how there’s so much food in the house that ends up in trash anyway. Why should I give up two nights a week on my comfy padded bed to sleep on a sunken-in, lumpy excuse of a cot just to keep her company just because her caregiver wants to be with her family in the weekends?? Oh well, at least this way I get to stay up for my midnight shows without getting bitched at. Then again, I have to work out in the dark & be extra quiet so I don’t wake her up. Why should I have to give up my breaks & vacations just because my parents want to save money & not pay for a caregiver to take care of Inay on the days Marie & I are off from school?? If they don’t want to pay for a caregiver, why don’t they stay home & watch over her?? If my social life continues to suffer from further social inactivity, it’s going to be their fault. Why should I have to rush back home after school just to make sure the caregiver is doing her job?? Why should I have to stay home the weekdays I skip or don’t have class just to help take care of her?? I’ve got other things to do, you know. Why should we even bother paying for a caregiver at all?? It’s not like she [Inay] even does her exercises like she’s supposed to, let alone cooperate with anything at all. In fact, she’s not doing anything to help herself get better. Why should my cousin get only $10 from her when he drops by her house?? She should be glad he remembered she lived on the same block as his friends & paid her a visit before heading over to the fellas’. Why should we have to give up our weekend lollygaggings just because she can’t walk & will more than probably slow us down?? Why should I have to give up our usual visits to the cemetery?? Doesn’t she know that’s the only time my parents actually bother to teach me how to drive?? She should be encouraging me, & maybe if I find the time, I’ll take her out for a drive. Whatever. I just don’t understand why Tito Gilbert doesn’t take her in. They seem like they’re in need of familial redemption. Just because his family’s got beef with mine, doesn’t mean he can’t find a way around to take Inay home to his place for awhile. Then again, it’s not like they’re exactly jumping up & down in their seats with their hands in the air to volunteer. Looks like some things just don’t change. Whatever. Just like with Inay, it looks like you just can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do. ____________________________________ Madre: do you really mean all that?? Yo: well yeah.. why do you ask?? Madre: because of the way you are speaking Yo: do you mean by what I’m saying or how I’m acting?? Madre: *struck by the irony* >>Silence ends scene<< Isn’t it frustrating how you think of the best comebacks after said conversation?? ____________________________________ Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too You better watch out, Parents. Looks like you might be next. John Mayer said so. ____________________________________ If I bothered to exercise my right to vote, I wouldn’t only vote for abortion, I would appeal for a proposition on euthanasia. Not that I’ve asked her [that would just be mean & insensitive], but I’m sure Inay would agree with me. ____________________________________ I’ve already told off a so-called friend this afternoon. Wow, you’re on a roll today, Jamar. And now if you will excuse me, I must go be the target of my family’s accusations & other ill-fated intentions. Till next time. To be continued.. *jaMar* | 
