April 29, 2012

Lots and lots of people showed up at our house today, including Uncle Rupert. He had a lot of big girls with him, and I don't think some of them spoke English. Mommy talked with him and sent them all to Aunt Willow's house.

Grandpa Hank was in the middle of talking to Mommy when everybody showed up. But when Grandpa Hank asked her who was at the door, Mommy said it was a group of people selling Girl Scout cookies.

Mommy lies to Grandpa Hank a lot.

I think Grandpa Hank finally caught onto it, 'cause he said he had to have a "talk" with her in the kitchen. Supposedly alone.

I could hear them from upstairs.

"Buffy, I don't think you're telling me everything."

"Well, Dad, you haven't really been around much for half my life." Uh-oh. Mommy wasn't in a good mood.

"Buffy, I already apologized. I was kept away by…by extenuating circumstances."

"Oh yeah, and did those 'extenuating circumstances' elope with you to Spain? Were those 'extenuating circumstances' half your own daughter's age? Did you—"

What did "extenuating circumstances" mean?

"Buffy, please. I'm trying to talk to you about William."

"Oh, so now you've got a problem with my husband?" Mommy sounded like she was ready to blow up.

"No, no, nothing like that. It's just…he doesn't seem to be very…stable."

"Is this about the slight mental lapse the other day? 'Cause that was just a fluke, really. Um, he-he was trying out some new medication, and it had a weird effect. Not that William uses any medication. Or needs any. It's just—"

"Honey, you're babbling."

"Oh, right. I'll stop." Mommy laughed nervously. "Hey, wait a minute, mister. I was mad at you."

Grandpa Hank was smart and ignored her. "Honey, I had a talk with him the other day. I think William had a very…disturbed…family life."

Mommy burst out laughing, then quickly sobered. "If he mentioned anything about me dating a certain relation of his, that guy's gonna be meeting the sharp end of Mr. Pointy."

"Huh?"

"Oh, nothing. Go on."

"Well, he talked about multiple families and various members being…'kicked out'. And…and it almost sounds, from the way he speaks, as if his family had a rather…incestuous relationship." Now Grandpa Hank sounded extremely embarrassed.

What was "incestuous"?

Mommy laughed again. "Well, yeah. I mean, no. No way, absolutely not. Oh, William's so hilarious. His family's just fine."

"All right, if you say so, Buffy. But I just don't think William is capable of forming a steady relationship. According to him, he's only had two relationships before you, and one was a one-night stand while the other lasted just a few weeks."

"Huh?" Now it was Mommy's turn to be baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"You know, the one-time Chinese girl who he didn't even know the name of and the other one who had a baby, Nikki. Didn't he tell you?"

"Chinese girl? Nikki…oh! Oh, right, of course he did. Really, Dad, those weren't really…loving…relationships. Those two weren't his girlfriends—"

"—That's not what William said," Grandpa Hank interrupted.

"Right…which is true. 'Cause you know, they were just puppy-love relationships, nothing solid. No dates or anything. William's had other girlfriends. Real girlfriends, with whom he established very, very long relationships. Dad, really, I know everything there is to know about my husband, and I'm fine with all of it. Well, not all of it. But I like the way he's turned out in the end. Dad, I love the man he's become."

That's sweet, Mommy.

I'm feeling sleepy, but I need to finish writing.

Knock-knock.

"Hey, Angie, asleep yet?"

"Not yet, Aunt Dawnie."

Aunt Dawnie opened the door, saw the diary open on my lap. She smiled.

"Glad to see you're writing so faithfully in that."

I quickly closed it, put it behind my back.

Aunt Dawnie frowned and pouted. "What are you doing? Writing things I shouldn't know about, sweetie?"

"Mommy says I have to hide it."

"Did she now. But come on Angie, I'm the person that gave you the diary. I've seen it before, kitty cover and all."

I shook my head. "No kitties, Aunt Dawnie. Flowers on the cover."

Aunt Dawnie's frown deepened. "What are you talking about? The cover is pink plush, with a cat in the middle. I bought it because you liked kittens."

I shook my head again. "No it's not. See?" I pulled the small book out and showed her the cover. "It's got a shiny white cover and lots of little pink and purple flowers on it."

Aunt Dawnie stared at it for a long moment. "Angie, where did you get that?"

"From you, Aunt Dawnie."

She narrowed her eyes. "May I see it?"

I shook my head, grabbed the diary possessively to my chest. "No, no, no. Mommy said it's private."

Aunt Dawnie didn't say anything for a while. "Angie, when did you start getting those vivid dreams again?"

"About ten days ago, Aunt Dawnie."

Aunt Dawnie swallowed. "It's late now. Your parents just went out, so I guess this will have to wait until morning. Angie, can I have the diary, just for safekeeping?"

I shook my head. "No, no, no, no, no!"

Aunt Dawnie sighed. "All right. Keep it for now. But promise me you won't write in it?"

I shook my head. "Mommy says I have to write in it every day."

Aunt Dawnie was getting frustrated. "Angie, please. Until tomorrow. Please? We'll work it out from there."

I nodded reluctantly. "All right, Aunt Dawnie. But only because I love you." I gave her a sticky kiss on the cheek. "I still haven't finished writing yet, but I guess I can skip one night."