Christmas 1993

I was at my best friend's house on Christmas Eve and my family was not too happy about that but, as I recall, I wasn't too happy with my family.

I got a phone call there which never happened. I knew something was up.

It was my mother. Her tone gave away her bad mood- which was about the only consistant thing about her.

"I thought you should know that your father beat someone up at work."

"Really? Why?"

"The guy messed with his girlfriend. Merry Christmas."

*click*

My father's temper was and remains legendary but even I was shocked that he had physically assaulted somebody. I think one of his coworkers told me later that it was as simple as the secretary there had been "molested" by the recipient of father's ass-whoopin'. I think the situation was as simple as dad had heard about the incident, confirmed it with Ms. Secretary, made his way to the garage (the guy was a mechanic), said something like "You sonofabitch" and started pounding the guy. I think the teller of this story mentioned that the guy said something like "There's another side to this story..." and then managed to say "You're insane!" between punches.

I came home. My father was at his station: sitting in the darkened, smoky, living room by the light of the television. He was probably in a white t-shirt and white briefs which has been his lounging outfit for all of my life.

I sat down and asked what happened with the job. He laughed a little.

"I gave my two weeks notice...effective two weeks ago."
He laughed some more at his own joke.

His knuckles were bruised and cut from punching the guy. I gotta' say that even I was shocked that he would have such an outburst, let alone the odd cooincidence that it was Christmas.

This story ends, simply, with the weirdest part of all: they asked him to come back to work after the holiday.

A Good Rule:

Always do what is least expected of you. (Within the realms of reason and decency.)

With that said, my wedding is in a few days and my mother is coming. I haven't seen nor spoken to her in over seven years.

Let's see how this all goes.