There was an email from Benjamin's teacher in my box. My shoulders freeze when I see her address.
"We lent Ben another shirt as he said he had worn the purple one the day before. Please wash and return it. And his coat needs washing too."
Her communications are primarily fueled by reprimands for forgotten permission slips, reminders to send money and disapproving commentary on his appearance. Does she have any idea what a juggling act it is to even get him out the door at 6:49 with breakfast in his belly and lunch in his back pack? Besides I am a huge fan of wearing clothes twice. The laundry already looms like a vulture. Not only that I am still trying to recalibrate the imbalance of those seven years when he changed his clothes five times a day because of accidents.
After a few months of this the case is closed. She hates me. I can do nothing right.
But on Back to School night she threw her arms around me in welcome.
"I looooove Ben!" Really? I thought we were permanently on your Needs Improvement
list. Can you approve of someone you are constantly disapproving of?
I thought about my interactions with John. How much of the time is my mental inbox to him cluttered with expectations and reminders?
The dryer is sluggish. Can you check it out?
Have you printed the Save the Date cards for A Day for Marriage yet?
Make sure Ben washes his hair.
Why didn't you put gas in the car? The light is on.
I think I will dilute them with a load of sappy appreciations. Because I don't want his shoulders to freeze every time I open my mouth.
