SBG: I want to be like You!
Mid August 2005
As Son did in 2004, he was again playing football in 2005 on a local league football team. Football, as it is in most places, is a rather time consuming activity. Usually there are 3-4 practices during the week and games on the weekend. Out of a 7 day calendar week, that presents 5-6 days where a parent is required to be at the ball field.
I have always tried to be present for all of Son's activities so long as I wasn't being bothered, namely by CEW. But considering we are now in the period of détente ( Apr - Dec 2005), I felt very comfortable being present and felt that I would be for the most part left alone. And I was.
It was during this time, that Toad would go out of his way to interact with me and try to befriend me. Although I found this a bit odd and believed CEW was behind it somehow, someway, it was non-threatening. So I went along with it. In the back of my mind is the memory of the things Toad has done, New Information Comes to light........, Domestic Violence, the law, Jealous rage and it's getting violent, but I tended to overlook that as all in the best interest of Son. Not to mention, I still saw Toad as the poor bastard that was just to weak to do the right thing when CEW was pressuring him to do otherwise. I've lived his life. I understood.
Toad would comment often about how he wished his relationship with his own son was the same as the relationship that I had with Son. I must admit I did find that flattering.
Additionally there would be times where Toad would bring his own children to Son's practices. On those occasions, he and CEW would leave early and both CEW and Toad would ask if I would mind taking, not only Son home after practice, but also his two children. Clearly there was a sense that this guy, Toad trusted me or at the least he was putting up the front because CEW wanted him to. But at the end of the day, I was having the level of access to Son that I always dreamed of. And CEW was painting me as the hero in the eyes of Son.
Toad was not done yet. With his yet to be final divorce, fast approaching a final date, Toad and CEW were actively involved in their wedding preparations. On one particular night in Mid August, Toad approaches me and asks me if I would be his best man. Toad tells me the wedding is planned for mid October and on a weekend I would have with Son ( he could only know this from CEW ). Toad tells me his real best friend couldn't make and since he couldn't make, would I be willing to stand him for him. I'm thinking this is really getting weird.
I tell Toad, that I think it's a weird proposition and I'd rather not. Toad simply tells me to think about it.... Which I do for about 30 seconds and dismiss. I'm hoping as with most things with CEW that it is forgotten or another plan is made. In fact, I think, if I piss off CEW maybe I'm off the hook with this entire Best Man thing... I really just wanted it to go away... But because I left the door open, just a crack, I will allow the door to be broken down... But this becomes yet another dumb ass move on the part of yours truly... I am indeed the Charlie Brown to CEW's Lucy.... Once again.. as time will tell...
As Son did in 2004, he was again playing football in 2005 on a local league football team. Football, as it is in most places, is a rather time consuming activity. Usually there are 3-4 practices during the week and games on the weekend. Out of a 7 day calendar week, that presents 5-6 days where a parent is required to be at the ball field.
I have always tried to be present for all of Son's activities so long as I wasn't being bothered, namely by CEW. But considering we are now in the period of détente ( Apr - Dec 2005), I felt very comfortable being present and felt that I would be for the most part left alone. And I was.
It was during this time, that Toad would go out of his way to interact with me and try to befriend me. Although I found this a bit odd and believed CEW was behind it somehow, someway, it was non-threatening. So I went along with it. In the back of my mind is the memory of the things Toad has done, New Information Comes to light........, Domestic Violence, the law, Jealous rage and it's getting violent, but I tended to overlook that as all in the best interest of Son. Not to mention, I still saw Toad as the poor bastard that was just to weak to do the right thing when CEW was pressuring him to do otherwise. I've lived his life. I understood.
Toad would comment often about how he wished his relationship with his own son was the same as the relationship that I had with Son. I must admit I did find that flattering.
Additionally there would be times where Toad would bring his own children to Son's practices. On those occasions, he and CEW would leave early and both CEW and Toad would ask if I would mind taking, not only Son home after practice, but also his two children. Clearly there was a sense that this guy, Toad trusted me or at the least he was putting up the front because CEW wanted him to. But at the end of the day, I was having the level of access to Son that I always dreamed of. And CEW was painting me as the hero in the eyes of Son.
Toad was not done yet. With his yet to be final divorce, fast approaching a final date, Toad and CEW were actively involved in their wedding preparations. On one particular night in Mid August, Toad approaches me and asks me if I would be his best man. Toad tells me the wedding is planned for mid October and on a weekend I would have with Son ( he could only know this from CEW ). Toad tells me his real best friend couldn't make and since he couldn't make, would I be willing to stand him for him. I'm thinking this is really getting weird.
I tell Toad, that I think it's a weird proposition and I'd rather not. Toad simply tells me to think about it.... Which I do for about 30 seconds and dismiss. I'm hoping as with most things with CEW that it is forgotten or another plan is made. In fact, I think, if I piss off CEW maybe I'm off the hook with this entire Best Man thing... I really just wanted it to go away... But because I left the door open, just a crack, I will allow the door to be broken down... But this becomes yet another dumb ass move on the part of yours truly... I am indeed the Charlie Brown to CEW's Lucy.... Once again.. as time will tell...
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