When she got here we talked. It seems that the Kiddo's mother had problems with her adenoids which bears out what my son has said. Apparently the mother while living at home was very much the same as she was at my son's house... gone and not home for her daughter.
It was this lady that had finally opened the envelope from the school and called her daughter to tell her of the meeting at school. Remember the wrong address thing that I straightened out? The paperwork HAD been sent to the mother but since she gave an address she doesn't live at, and probably doesn't go to other than to pick up her child support check.
She apparently brought up with her daughter the matter of child support. That it doesn't belong to her. I told her my son is having a hard time but he's held off because he doesn't want to... ["have his daughter uprooted one more time. He wants her to have stability."] I just paused and didn't say it and she finished, "upset the apple cart."
I want to believe all of this but there is always that nagging feeling that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Unfair of me? Yes. Cautious on my part? Yes. The woman and I have not gotten along in the past. Perhaps another thing that was unfair on my part... what I did know of this woman I had been told of by the Kiddo's mother. So, everything I spoke was the truth, but there will always remain an unsettled feeling being unsure if the truth goes both ways. Again I admit to being unfair.
When she left she was going to bake with the Kiddo, take Kiddo to see her great grandfather and then keep her for the night. When my son got off work he called to check this and the Kiddo sounded happy to talk to him. This judging by his end of the conversation. His face seemed peaceful and happy for the first time in a long time. I heard him say, "I am your only friend? Kiddo, you have many friends!" Several "having fun's" several I love you's.. smiles on his part and then he talked to the grandmother.
Seems the grandmother was tired and had decided to cancel her plans. I had already anticipated this because this little girl is VERY much like her father and if you are not used to her constant moving, constant going in opposing directions, if you are not used to being around her it does wear you out. How do I know? I'm used to it.. I had TWO ADHD children and I used no ritalin. I have her every day.. I'm used to it and it wears me out!!
I had already had plans to keep her for the night. I had already figured to take her to dinner. The men were all going to a party with other men they work with. So, this had been planned. I took her to a place relatively kid friend and still adult friendly too... iHop.
She was actually good till the food came. Then she unwrapped her silver ware and she seemed to be handling it well so I started to unwrap mine. When I looked up she was holding down her sausage with her fingers and trying to use the knife to cut it, the way I showed her (with a fork). When I asked about her fork she looked for it and finally saw it on the floor.
Before I had a chance to blink she was on the floor and all I could see was her skirt covered bottom (thank heavens for skorts) and the new white "tap" shoes her grandmother gave her.
"Kiddo!" Get off the floor!"
"But I found my fork!"
Before I could reach down and pull her up she was popping up again with a fork and spoon in hand. She was so very proud of herself and plopped back in her seat, "I'll use my fork now!" Pleased as punch she was until she heard me bellow, "NOOOoo!" and snatch the utensils out of her hand.
I'm sure she thought Grandma had gone bonkers but I tried to quickly tell her that you don't pick silverware up off the floor and use it, I'll get her clean ones.
She was suprisingly very good! She ate everything and then, apparently remembering her manners she didn't quite know how to start asking for my food so she sat there and just pointed at my pancakes. "Hey! You aren't serious?" But she was, she ate all of her dinner and half of mine. And was, other than the holding her sausage with her fingers to cut it.. until she found her fork, and being under the table she was very good and actually fun to be with.
It's almost time for her to get up. I want to have a cup of coffee first. Hope your weekends are good.
