Update
So, the breakfast. I survived! More shockingly, it was pleasant. Lordy lord.
I think it helped that Dad started it off on the right foot. He and Sue had offered to pick me up on the way to the breakfast, and I agreed because they would have had to go past my place anyway. So when Dad knocked on the door, I opened it, half-dreading that it was going to be the both of them standing on the doorstep. But, to my relief, it was just Dad. So I was able to give him a hug and quickly show him the changes I'd made to the place before we walked out to the car. I'm so glad he did that. I was able to react to Dad as I wanted to, and then find out what my reaction to Sue would be when I met her.
Huh. Sue was standing next to the car and my first thought was that she was older and plainer than I'd expected. She's about Dad's age and in fairly good shape, just a bit plump. For someone who had caught my Dad's eye - well. Actually, that had been my Mum's reaction when she saw Sue from a distance too. THAT'S Sue? And I suddenly understood why.
So, she played it pretty cool. Offered a handshake and I took it, we both said hello. it was fine. I didn't find myself wanting to lash out or something. I hadn't expected to, but you never know, right? She offered the front passenger seat and I said no, that I'd take the back. She didn't push it, and I didn't talk while we were in the car. But I'm like that - if I'm in the back, it's harder to follow stuff so I'm quiet.
At the breakfast, it was all normal. Ordering and then chatting while waiting for the food. I talked to Dad, and I talked to her as well. She's got three sons, and the youngest is sixteen and deaf. I knew that before (and REALLY bothered when my sister first told me. It just seemed weird that there were similarities, you know?) We actually ended up talking about him a lot, because he might benefit from getting a cochlear implant. I offered to talk to him if he needed an opinion from someone who has one.
There was also general chat about books and stuff. Typical conversation. I tried to suss out the dynamics between Dad and Sue while we all talked. They seemed easy with each other and joked every now and then. Ugh. I hate mentioning it now, even though I didn't mind it at the time. The breakfast was a couple of hours and then they dropped me off. I hugged Dad and gave her a hug as well. UGH, UGH, I hate saying that too. God.
Upshot? It went better than I expected and I didn't mind meeting her. But not again for a while, okay? Meanwhile, I'll be happy to help out her son in any way that I can.
*sigh*
I think it helped that Dad started it off on the right foot. He and Sue had offered to pick me up on the way to the breakfast, and I agreed because they would have had to go past my place anyway. So when Dad knocked on the door, I opened it, half-dreading that it was going to be the both of them standing on the doorstep. But, to my relief, it was just Dad. So I was able to give him a hug and quickly show him the changes I'd made to the place before we walked out to the car. I'm so glad he did that. I was able to react to Dad as I wanted to, and then find out what my reaction to Sue would be when I met her.
Huh. Sue was standing next to the car and my first thought was that she was older and plainer than I'd expected. She's about Dad's age and in fairly good shape, just a bit plump. For someone who had caught my Dad's eye - well. Actually, that had been my Mum's reaction when she saw Sue from a distance too. THAT'S Sue? And I suddenly understood why.
So, she played it pretty cool. Offered a handshake and I took it, we both said hello. it was fine. I didn't find myself wanting to lash out or something. I hadn't expected to, but you never know, right? She offered the front passenger seat and I said no, that I'd take the back. She didn't push it, and I didn't talk while we were in the car. But I'm like that - if I'm in the back, it's harder to follow stuff so I'm quiet.
At the breakfast, it was all normal. Ordering and then chatting while waiting for the food. I talked to Dad, and I talked to her as well. She's got three sons, and the youngest is sixteen and deaf. I knew that before (and REALLY bothered when my sister first told me. It just seemed weird that there were similarities, you know?) We actually ended up talking about him a lot, because he might benefit from getting a cochlear implant. I offered to talk to him if he needed an opinion from someone who has one.
There was also general chat about books and stuff. Typical conversation. I tried to suss out the dynamics between Dad and Sue while we all talked. They seemed easy with each other and joked every now and then. Ugh. I hate mentioning it now, even though I didn't mind it at the time. The breakfast was a couple of hours and then they dropped me off. I hugged Dad and gave her a hug as well. UGH, UGH, I hate saying that too. God.
Upshot? It went better than I expected and I didn't mind meeting her. But not again for a while, okay? Meanwhile, I'll be happy to help out her son in any way that I can.
*sigh*