The Way It Goes in Book Seven: Reconstruction 2020

So… things with/at the parents has been okay. But as is always the case… when my dad drinks, he gets… belligerent. And insensitive. This time, Mom very specifically and very pointedly told me to “leave things alone.” Meaning if Dad starts going on and on about how “The Liberals” are responsible for “everything going wrong” mom essentially begged me to just let it go. LUCKILY, since the dog is with me this time… I figured that it wouldn’t be that big of an issue. And I was right. This visit wasn’t nearly as bed as many of the previous trips have been.

But there was one comment. I get that “one comment” seems “ultra sensitive” to be upset about but… after you see what it was, maybe you’ll understand.

Dad was on a tirade against one of his imagined enemies in the public sphere. A man shorter than 6 feet who Dad disagrees with. Dad said something to the effect of “Short man’s disease. No wonder he couldn’t make his marriage work!”

I rather knee-jerk said, “Hey, watch it. Those comments aren’t okay now.” Because… you know… I happen to be a man under 6 feet tall who couldn’t make his marriage work… so using that as an insult against someone you don’t like is… shall we say… closer to home than it may have previously been?

Dad’s response was: “Well, too late now. I said what I said.”

So… that is awesome. Dad thinking that being short is a good “dig”, and that being divorced is “a moral trump card.” Yeeeeeaaaaahhh. Good to know.