Not the Mama

[thepnutgallery]

Woke up at 5:30, then again at 8. Woke Julian but he didn't believe me about the time. He thought he set an alarm for 7:50, so it couldn't be after 8. Understandable, or maybe just wishful thinking at that point, but rather than argue with him over a fact, I just gave him his phone. I didn't feel as tired, but didn't really have the impetus to do chores. I laid reading The True Game next to Lady Miss Friday until Tim called. He came over a couple hours later and brought Pupple. There was some friction between him and the kids, but that's why we sat outside. Drank coffee, talked about the Foxhole last night. He chided me for still treating Julian bassically like a houseguest. I asked him to hang the picture Rachel bought us and decided to give Julian the dresser or whatever that is in the living room. Not sure where the stuff currently in it will go, but we can figure that out. Talked more about Julian's reluctance to get help, though didn't get to much there. Some about Julian's insecurity, and Tim talked to him at a party back when we first dated. Julian was terrified I'd leave him, couldn't believe we were together, etc., thus his monstrous jealousy. He talked also about the plants in the courtyard and his history with his mom. She was an ardent backyard botanist and bird watcher. Lives near Phyllis, too, though they wouldn't get along terribly well.

He left off, I finally did a few chores. Vacuumed again, the couple dishes in the sink, mopped the bathroom. I trimmed my beard and then my hair. And then I actually showered, for the first time in weeks. Laid down to read more with Lady Miss Friday, gave her more treats next to the boy's fur. Tried to give some on the plate to encourage her to eat the kibble with salmon oil, but she declined all of it if it was on the plate. Noted. Julian got home late - customers had kept him after, but yay business? And then I got a text from Patrick, asking if I had plans tomorrow. Almost tempted to lie in advance and claim preoccupation, but this is Patrick, and I could always just decline. It's a new thing I'm working on. He just misses me and wants to get together tomorrow. Magnificent! Julian called his mom and they decided he's going to visit her. He asked me to find the cheapest flight, either just before Halloween or before Xmas. Thank Gawd, but he only asked for one ticket so he could go. He still offered for me to come with, but you know how I feel about leaving Lady Miss Friday, and I detest travel anyway. And this way I can stay and babysit his kids. Won't be much different from my usual care, I'll just play with them a little more, give them a little more attention. Even though it was late, he suggested dinner, and along with learning to say no, I'm also working on *not* declining all food ever. We had burgers and fries, and he also cooked up some Brussel sprouts for himself. The fries burnt but I ate them anyway. Partly because I was hungry and partly just to demonstrate my broad spectrum of "edible." Julian apologized in advance, as he didn't think he'd be able to bottom tonight, but also didn't seem interested in topping. I offered to stay up late with him, and we made it to 11:30, but somewhere between not wanting to feel guilty and...I don't know, maybe just not wanting a sober person frowning at tipsy tomfoolery, Julian told me to go ahead and go to bed. Never have to ask me twice to join LMF