The intellectual equivalent of a ham sandwich.

Posts tagged ‘dad’

It's Time to Talk

“Hey Dad, whatcha doing?”

Look at him, sitting on the couch, watching football. It’s like he’s not different at all – but I know better.

“Not much, watching football.”

Oh Dad, what’s happened to you?

“That’s cool. Oh, Arizona-Arizona State, huh? Good game?”

Maybe I should talk to him later? He’s busy. I should talk to him later.

“Uh huh.”

No! Talk to him now! You need to help him!

“So how’s work going and all that?”

Come on, quit beating around the bush and do this!

“Fine.”

Ok. Here we go. Just like the commercials say to do.

“Dad. Does anyone you know at work take drugs?”

He’s giving me a look – just ignore it. You need to help him.

“Um. A lot of guys take drugs for cholesterol, some for their hearts, a lot of various ones for pain … Probably some others.”

My God. He’s surrounded by these bad influences. I’m afraid to ask.

“… Do … you … take any drugs, Dad?”

Why hadn’t I seen that commercial before! I would’ve talked to my Dad when he was still in his forties if I’d known it’d help keep him off drugs!

“Well, yeah. I take stuff for pain in my back and shoulders, not every day though. And also for cholesterol.”

Why! Whyyyyyy!

“Does that … help you? Does it make you feel better … Dad?”

Wait – he said he doesn’t take pain killers every day, I may not be too late!

“Oh yeah, I definitely need them.”

Keep strong, keep strong.

“Why, Dad, why?”

I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.

“Why do I take the drugs? Well, lots of reasons, but I started because the doctor said I should.”

Oh, God! The doctor’s a pusher! I should’ve known! Who else is involved with this terrible scheme!

“Well Dad, -”

“Actually my bosses all take the exact same drugs as I do. Kinda funny.”

So this is a popularity thing? That’s why, Dad? To be liked!

“Ok, Dad.”

What am I supposed to do?

I can’t believe this. I can’t win against these odds. The commercials, the bandwagon-ism of it all, the perceived need!

I’m too stressed – I’m going to go get high.

De Jour of the Week (10/20/09)

10/20/09

My dad was never very big on compliments. I know this could sometimes drive my mom crazy, but it didn’t really affect me. Nevertheless, my mom felt it was necessary for my dad and I to connect on some deeper level. If I had to guess, I would imagine she gave my dad a big talk before they went to bed one night. She probably told him about how when they were dating in high school he would mention off-hand about how he wasn’t that close to his dad. She would then tell him how this made him feel when he was that young, and how he should try to learn from those lessons. There’s a good chance she would then, politely, inform my dad what he learned from those lessons. Unfortunately, even the best laid plans of mice and moms sometimes go awry. One morning, probably the very next morning after this talk, I was eating cereal and getting ready for school. My dad looked over at my mom, then down at me, and said, “your mom told me to tell you I’m proud of you.”