79 Baba taught me chess Silent warfare They were on the balcony Sitting on all the chairs I stood looking out the railing for a bit at the weird fog (maybe fog, maybe sand, can't really tell because of the cloud of cigarette smoke) Whatever it is, it's blocking out the sun, which is nice mid-heatwave I sighed and found a plastic chair and lumbered out with it Cat couldn't surpress a small smile (oooo tante Z was right about yooou) Aly was embarrassed and Hassan gave me a pillow Baba scowled He made a big show of being chivalrous with my cousin and Cat "Oh no, don't get up darling, I'll move the clothesline and squeeze past. NO DONT LIFT A FINGER" (she wasn't) "Aly will you put your plates away or do you need heeelp *chuckle*" Hassan and I side-glanced at each other Baba eventually gets up and takes Aly's things while nagging at him I chirped-- Baba you should do things silently if you want to help out (he always says this to me) He glared at me and I smiled --- I'm sitting quietly on my phone Baba got nervous and got up He tried to peek HA Now he's watching television He knows what I'm capable of He makes me miserable almost every day but he knows I can disappear and show his real face to the rest of the family whenever I want And under all the bullshit, he knows if I go, it's only a matter of time before everyone else does and he'll be alone --- Piercing through the shittiness is Tante Z She called asking me about the sea I told her it's tahina (flat like tahini) She whined NOOO I said it's no fun without her She asked me to pick up cheese from her friend (so cute, I want to skip to granny years) I later heard Baba telling her, don't be ridiculous I'm not stopping by your house to drop off cheese Ugh. --- Cat was asking me yesterday if I'd really stay for the winter I said I don't have my car but maybe next year She said can't you go back and just get it? Yeah, I suppose I could. Then we kept walking in silence "You're afraid of long drive?" Yeah I suppose, I've been to Sokhna but Alexandria is a trek of course "But easier if you're not alone, like I come with you" Um. I suppose that's safer. She could see I was uncomfortable and added, "or your friends" Lady, It's way too late for sisterhood of the traveling pants I offered you that I lied to Baba and your husband for you You're a "pick me" and didn't even hesitate to step on me --- We may or may not be going to the store They're debating Apparently, I don't get a say At one point Baba says, "Hassan and I will go" I say Hassan, I need to use the ATM if I'm ALLOWED to go, if not please take my card with you Baba wriggles in his seat and I take my tea to my room Check and mate. |