Motel living

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just around the corner. Here we are living in Belmont’s Motel 6-3 adults, 6 kids, 2 dogs, and a cat-waiting to hear from home applications. The space we occupy is not big by any means but we do have an efficiency kitchen so meals are cheaper than having to eat out. I say three adults because even though Mike is here with us he tends to sleep in the RV. Mike is still in stages of detox and his irritability fuse is short. Then again, my irritability fuse, when it comes to his irrational and self-centered behavior, is also incredibly short.

Today Mike and Bill have driven to Tahoe to empty our post office box and pick up Mike’s birthday and Christmas checks from his mother and his last unemployment check. They expect to return this evening unless the weather prohibits travel. Mike will then leave here and head to Yuma, Arizona to spend some time with his mother. He will be gone at least two weeks and possibly through the New Year. He is going to attempt to mend his fences with her and to come to agreeable terms where their joint home ownership and joint bank accounts are concerned. I have to admit that having him gone for a while will be a nice break.

Mike is a truly generous and caring man. But, he does come with hang-ups, as we all do. One of his hang-ups is his bitterness over his childhood and the harsh discipline he endured at the hands of his mother and the fact that she chased his father-the loving, affectionate parent-away. He is jealous of the way that I love my children and my grandchildren and complains (whines) about it often. He loves my children and my grandchildren but he does not want to have to share my affection with anyone. When he is actively using he is seldom around, in fact he does not want to be around anyone during that time, but when he is clean he is very demanding of my time and my attentions. I give what I can till I have little left and still am expected to give more. I am coming to the end of my give a damn and this coming break will do me good.