Wonder of Wonders

Just received a phone call from my mother. My father was on his way to pick her up for their trip to visit the little Sis in North Carolina. I was shocked. Flabbergasted. Amazed even.

They were actually going through with a trip together. This hasn't happened in the last year and a half. Not since before the incident where my mom left her wedding ring in his mailbox. Not since before lawyers were hired by both. Not since before this past Christmas when my dad didn't even bother showing up to exchange gifts.

I was expecting the usual phone call. My dad had come up with some excuse as to why he couldn't go and they were staying home. Again. He's cancelled out on numerous trips before. Excursions to see my cousin in St. Louis, trips to visit relatives in another part of the state hell, he even came home early from moving my sister in August because he said work "needed" him to come back. Rrrrriiiiggghhhttt.

It's probably wrong to not believe a damn word your own father says to you, but that's where our relationship is now. When this whole thing started between him and my mom I tried to be objective. Not get in the middle. Stay out of it. To a point I still do, stay out of it that is, but he's told too many lies and been more and more unreliable.

It's not supposed to be like this, right?

As we get older we're supposed to be better friends with our parents, right?

Instead I'm seeing the same pattern my dad went through with his own father. I just hope we can repair any damage before it's too late. Unfortunately, I think we're already heading down that path and I don't know how to stop it.