Rotting Roots
Tales from the dark side of my toxic origin story, and the havoc it inflicts on me daily.
Essays on narcissistic parenting, emotional abuse, an absent father, and the long, unfinished business of figuring out which parts of your damage are yours to carry and which ones you can put down.The Body of Evidence
Neighbors in Guatemala remember my mother as "El cuerpo." A force of nature. A woman they speak about in awe. I inherited her face. I'm trying to figure out if I also inherited the thing that broke her.
Calling It Quits
Since I joined the neighborhood council, my mother has called me less and less. Where before she would call me daily, she is now avoiding me like the plague. Or at least she was, until she got bored and decided it was time to try and feed off my energy. How do I know this? Because at 3am, when I was already asleep, I was awakened by my mother’s ringtone. And when I didn’t answer the first time, the ringer went off again, and again, until I set my phone to vibrate. The out-of-the-blue calls Her calls, when she is seeking control, are timed to disrupt my life. To control…
Somebody Else’s Father’s Day
Today is Father’s Day in Guatemala. I watched a father interact with his seven-year-old daughter today, and I was uncomfortable with how much care he put into making her happy.
Premonition – The Movie I Forgot to Remember
Watching movies with my mother is annoying. Watching a movie with her where there is a husband and kids in the plot is even more so. When she was still here, I made the mistake of watching the movie Premonition with her. I, unfortunately, did not remember enough of the plot from the time I had seen before to realize it was a landmine of issues. That is how I found myself in that situation. Oh, also, spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched the movie, so whatever.
Verbal Hostage Situation
A toxic brother resurfaces with no apology, a verdict on my life, and an hour-long monologue. Verbal hostage situations, no negotiation possible.
