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“You’ll Probably Laugh on Your Father’s Grave”
And Other Horrifying Things She Said
At 10pm, when his 25 year old son says he needs to talk to his dad:
“You shouldn’t bother him right now. He’s had a long day.”
In a text message to his 23 year old daughter:
“You’ll probably laugh on his grave. You are so ungrateful.”
In a text message, referencing again some perceived slight:
“Your father provided everything. He took in your mother and your older brother and gave them a home when they had nothing. And look how you treat him.”
Ten minutes into dinner, the first time they visit in two years:
“You have no idea how much you all have hurt him, especially your younger brother. He is just so hurt. The silent treatment is abuse.”
In a text message, when that dinner ended abruptly:
“I hope you feel better, since obviously yours are the only feelings that matter.”
Each of these is slightly — but only slightly — paraphrased, since these are messages given to my children and not to me, but they were shared with me nonetheless, and I have not hyperbolized. In fact, it’s far more likely that I have understated.
