Why Secrets Suck (And Something Big Happens To Me!)
I can finally announce to everybody something I've known for weeks but was sworn to secrecy to not tell. And, honestly, I shouldn't have even known, but let it be told right here right now that my parents (especially my mother) cannot keep a secret. Big ones, any ways.
About two weeks ago, while chatting with my father, I get a rather cryptic comment. He says something along the lines of 'having news' to tell me... then saying he shouldn't say anything. And then, maddeningly, he doesn't say anything. That's probably the worst, knowing there's a secret but then being denied the information. You shouldn't have said there was a secret in the first place.
Now my mind is racing. From the way he said it, I have to wonder... did somebody develop a life-threatening illness? Something happen to a family member? Are my parents getting a divorce?!? But I, unlike many people, don't ask and don't push. I know there's a secret, but I can be patient. Damn it.
A week later, the parents come to visit and help with set building (now that I think about it, that first phone call had to be a MONTH ago, not two weeks). I buy them lunch as a thank you and as we're waiting for our sandwiches, the look to each other and under their breath, but not quietly enough, I hear them. "Should we tell him now?" "We have to." But they don't tell me _now_. I have to wait for the order to be finished. Fracking hell!
But finally we're at the table outside and mom pulls out her cell phone. She has a video she wants me to watch. It's mom and dad in the kitchen and mom is reading a card. I can barely hear the video so I lift it to my ear. Just in time to have my eardrums blown out by a piercing shriek from my mother.
And that's how I learn... my sister is pregnant. I'm going to be an uncle!!! OMG! Me, an uncle!
But now I'm sworn to secrecy. My sister wanted to tell me herself, but I was sick in January so I couldn't be there when mom and dad found out. So I have to wait to see my sister... who was, at the time, touring the UK and Europe! So I have to wait a few more weeks! Hate smegging secret keeping!
Unlike my mom, I can keep secrets. Mostly. I tell the Dragoness that same day because I wanted to share the news. Guess it was big to me, she's been an aunt for most of her life. Different perceptions of the same news I guess. But still, I had to share. Now I keep mum until my sister gets back in town.
Saturday, two days ago, I'm visiting my parents and my sister is there. I know it is going to be the day she 'surprises' me. We talked the day before as she asked me several times if I was sure I'd be there. So I dress casual but nice and head over. Everybody is trying to be cool. Yeah. How is it that I'm the only decent actor in my entire family. My sister hands me a bag of trinkets from her trip over-seas. Mom and dad gather around a little more interested than they usually are. My sister is grinning like a Cheshire cat. And I KNOW the secret, but can't let on. Friggin' acting unaware of stuff.
So I get a K-9 key chain, a whiskey drink mix thing. And something wrapped in tissue. I open it up and find a rolled up baby's bib with "I love my uncle" on it. And at that moment, I swear that VERY moment, the cat with extra sharp claws climbs... not jumps, climbs into my lap. I cry out in shock and my sister laughs, impressed.
I keep acting like I'm surprised, even as I gingerly shove the cat off my lap. And that's when my sister says, "That was a pretty good reaction, but I know you know. Mom told me she told you a few days ago."
*facepalm*
About two weeks ago, while chatting with my father, I get a rather cryptic comment. He says something along the lines of 'having news' to tell me... then saying he shouldn't say anything. And then, maddeningly, he doesn't say anything. That's probably the worst, knowing there's a secret but then being denied the information. You shouldn't have said there was a secret in the first place.
Now my mind is racing. From the way he said it, I have to wonder... did somebody develop a life-threatening illness? Something happen to a family member? Are my parents getting a divorce?!? But I, unlike many people, don't ask and don't push. I know there's a secret, but I can be patient. Damn it.
A week later, the parents come to visit and help with set building (now that I think about it, that first phone call had to be a MONTH ago, not two weeks). I buy them lunch as a thank you and as we're waiting for our sandwiches, the look to each other and under their breath, but not quietly enough, I hear them. "Should we tell him now?" "We have to." But they don't tell me _now_. I have to wait for the order to be finished. Fracking hell!
But finally we're at the table outside and mom pulls out her cell phone. She has a video she wants me to watch. It's mom and dad in the kitchen and mom is reading a card. I can barely hear the video so I lift it to my ear. Just in time to have my eardrums blown out by a piercing shriek from my mother.
And that's how I learn... my sister is pregnant. I'm going to be an uncle!!! OMG! Me, an uncle!
But now I'm sworn to secrecy. My sister wanted to tell me herself, but I was sick in January so I couldn't be there when mom and dad found out. So I have to wait to see my sister... who was, at the time, touring the UK and Europe! So I have to wait a few more weeks! Hate smegging secret keeping!
Unlike my mom, I can keep secrets. Mostly. I tell the Dragoness that same day because I wanted to share the news. Guess it was big to me, she's been an aunt for most of her life. Different perceptions of the same news I guess. But still, I had to share. Now I keep mum until my sister gets back in town.
Saturday, two days ago, I'm visiting my parents and my sister is there. I know it is going to be the day she 'surprises' me. We talked the day before as she asked me several times if I was sure I'd be there. So I dress casual but nice and head over. Everybody is trying to be cool. Yeah. How is it that I'm the only decent actor in my entire family. My sister hands me a bag of trinkets from her trip over-seas. Mom and dad gather around a little more interested than they usually are. My sister is grinning like a Cheshire cat. And I KNOW the secret, but can't let on. Friggin' acting unaware of stuff.
So I get a K-9 key chain, a whiskey drink mix thing. And something wrapped in tissue. I open it up and find a rolled up baby's bib with "I love my uncle" on it. And at that moment, I swear that VERY moment, the cat with extra sharp claws climbs... not jumps, climbs into my lap. I cry out in shock and my sister laughs, impressed.
I keep acting like I'm surprised, even as I gingerly shove the cat off my lap. And that's when my sister says, "That was a pretty good reaction, but I know you know. Mom told me she told you a few days ago."
*facepalm*