I have learned to check the spam texts the hard way. I lost out on a gig I applied for because the person hiring for the crew texted me, and since this number was not from a trusted contact, it went into the spam folder. Curiosity was the only reason I checked that folder, and I saw it months after this person offered the gig to me. What an embarrassment ... and that company hasn't hired me since. And yet I still go to their hiring board. I applied for something a couple weeks ago. And I am checking the spam folder just in case they give me another chance.
Anyway, it was also in this spam folder where I saw a long text from my long-ago cousin to whom I haven't spoken in decades. She is in town and wanted to catch up on old times. I will be honest. She is one of four sisters and brothers my brother and sister and I remember hanging out with from time to time when we were young. I like this particular cousin the most even though that's based on guesses on what I remember back when we were kids. The oldest of the four I have problems with; thing is, I don't remember if I ever got into a fight with her. My memories of interacting with her enrage me now, but I really don't know if she thinks we don't get along. I just don't want to see her again.
But I need to give family a chance, so I reached out ... as soon as I spoke to My Father, whom my cousin, or "cousin," said gave her my number. I hadn't spoken to my parents pretty much for the past week, but I finally had reason to ring them up. And yes, Father said my cousin is the real deal and so gave her my number. OK, this is not catfishing. We spoke -- can't say I was over-enthused on catching up, but I want to see if I could see her over the holiday weekend. We promised to compare schedules the middle of the week.
With that matter kicked down the street, I went to Art-A-Whirl's last day. And while I was minding my own business, trying to give myself some grace and be a part of a community that I love, I feel a buzzing on my ass. Father called again. I took the call while wandering around an art studio. I should have known they would have called again demanding that I be more "hospitable." They asked me to ask my cousin if she needed to borrow my car. She already told me that she and her son (he'll be studying in town for the next several years) have gotten a rental. They then fucking asked me to open up the house to them. I told them my cousin and cousin once removed already got a hotel. I completely fucking lied; I'm pretty sure they have, but I don't know that. What I do know is that there is no goddamn way in hell I am going to let them stay here if I can help it. No offense, but fuck no.
The call ended; I don't think My Fucking Parents heard the combination of rage and fear in my voice at the end of the call. But I kept thinking about them while I was doing my personal art crawl. Also, I remember that goddamn time they surprised me by coming home and not telling me. So goddamn scarring; I'll never forgive them for doing that to me. I know that they suspect that I don't keep the house clean while they're gone.
So that leads me to one conclusion: They're coming home. They might not tell me. They might. But they're coming home. They think I am so unable to be a good host for family that they will fucking pay the obscene amount a plane ticket costs these days and come home to see if I have cleaned up the house. By the way, they insisted that I gave them my cousin's phone number, even though I think they already have it. I can totally believe that My Fucking Parents insisted, if not demanded, my cousin cancel their hotel and car so we can give them housing and transportation. Fucking weirdos.
I can imagine them booking plane tickets online right now. Fuckin' A. The house is a mess, just like I wanted to. And I need to clean it up in five fucking days to impress one person I haven't seen in decades and another person I didn't know existed until yesterday? Fuck that shit. I'm too tired to clean, and I'm too busy to care. And that's how My Fucking Parents will screw me again. All because oh-oh-oh, I need to be good hosts for family!!! I'll bring shame to them if I don't!!!
Fucking hate my parents.