Entry 36: Road Trip
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is Mother's Day not meant to emphasize your appreciation for the effort your mom puts into actually BEING A MOM?
I sat in art class, one of the few I look forward to. No, not because I enjoy what we do in there. Because, I don't have to worry about doing anything in here.
I was entertaining myself with a wrestling magazine when Pheebs had to point out my Mother's Day Card didn't exactly scream Hallmark.
"It's rather plain isn't it?"
Miriam's rather dull, is she not?
"In case you haven't noticed Pheebs, Miriam isn't exactly world's greatest mom material. What kind of a mother packs their kid's lunch with crackers, moist towelettes and NO sandwich?"
None that doesn't deserve to be checked out by child protected services.
It didn't matter though. Her gift was seeing my grandma in South Dakota; an exciting family road trip...not.
I was making my way downstairs with my suitcase, already counting down the hours until the end of the trip when I heard Bob say…
"There's been a change in plans."
Just me and Miriam alone on the road after the old man decides to put his precious business ahead of his family as usual.
Normally I'd resent him for such a thing (no matter how predictable it was), but I wouldn't want to go on the trip if it was avoidable. That didn't stop me from trying to talk some sense into him however.
"You are joking right dad? Me and Miriam alone on the road together?"
Of course he had no more concern to acknowledge me than he did to feel the need to stay behind with me.
A few hours after Miriam and I were on the road alone, I listened to her sad attempt to try to bond with me.
"How are things at school Helga?"
I felt the radio would be the perfect way to 'tune her out.'
She didn't seem to expect the uproaring tunes I chose that were clearly not in style (or even around should I say) back when she cared to keep up with the times.
Well, first Bob blew me off, then I was forced to be trusted with Mrs. Smoothie, finally, I listen to her ask to change the radio station.
"Do you mind if we listen to some other music?"
That's okay though. I got something even better. Listening to her half the night at a karaoke bar we stayed at. Oh brother!
"We got tomorrow! Who needs yesterday?!"
Don't ask me why I didn't kill myself there and then.
The next morning, have managed to make it through sharing a bed with her snoring self, I watched her walk out to the car, only to spill her coffee all over me! What the heck is wrong with her?
"Don't worry Helga! It's a brand new bright sunny day! Everything's going to be fine! You have to think positive honey!"
Positive? I suppose she considers leaving her purse on top of the car, losing the directions, and running the car off the road all reasons to think positively?
"TRUCK!"
Even when she's sober, the woman can't keep her eyes on the road. Criminy! What good do those glasses do her anyway?
Guess who had the privilege of pushing the damaged vehicle to the nearest mechanic, only to find out it would cost nearly five hundred dollars to fix it. I might as well have just left the freakin' thing on the side of the road.
"This here fixin' job's gonna cost you about $498.37"
What is he, some kind of math psychic?
As tough as I may act, it hurts having to take care of myself. Not having someone to depend on who I know is willing to take the time to put my needs before their own hurts.
"I'm nine years old mom. You're the parent, you're supposed to take care of me, but you couldn't even do that. Face it Miriam, you're a lousy mother."
Yeah it wasn't exactly a loving thing to say, but what was I supposed to do? Let her continue thinking hard smoothies and eighteen hour naps are the key to parenthood?
My last five bucks wasn't going to get us back on the road anymore than Miriam's unfocused mind. Therefore, I went inside to grab a bite to eat.
My stomach ended up being the next victim when she placed some crazy flier for a mechanical bull riding contest.
"You? A mechanical bull contest?"
"It's only five dollars to enter and if I win, we get enough money to fix the car."
"I'm getting a cheeseburger."
"Helga! I need your five dollars for the entrance fee. Have a little faith in me. I..I could win."
"Fine Miriam. If you wanna blow our last five bucks so you can enter a mechanical bull contest, go ahead. You've messed everything else up, you might as well make it a perfect trip."
Normally when people upset me, I'm just frustrated with their ignorance. I'll even admit in some cases, it can go as far as hurting my feelings. This however, was pure disappointment.
I sat there, watching them set up for the show. Before Miriam even stepped up, I knew not to waste my time getting my hopes up. Parents are supposed to be people you have a chance of having faith in. This is all due to the fact that they're reliable.
"I can't even watch this."
It didn't matter what type of attempt she made at that point. There wasn't a snowball's chance it would end well.
I sat outside like a hitchhiker on the bench, assuming I maybe lucky enough to get a free ride. That is, until I heard cheering. I don't for the life of me made me waste my time getting up. I knew there was no way it could be Miriam causing a positive uproar like that.
Apparently I was wrong. I stood in the doorway, not believing what I was seeing until I saw her being thrown off her seat and across the bar.
"MOM!"
It's amazing the type of concern situations like that can make you show for a person. Not only that, but learning something new about them, and what it can lead to.
We got the money, and I got a whole car rides worth of stories I never thought I would care to hear. Stories about Miriam's childhood. Wonders never cease!
