I just saw bus stop mom again. I was letting Big Kid ride the bus until the lease officially ran out on the other place but bus riding ends today because I just can't risk it any longer.
I had a bad feeling when I pulled up, so I immediately put a book up to my face once I put the car into park. I don't know what made me think that would protect me but I soon saw movement in my side mirror and knew she was approaching. I continued reading. She stood at my closed window and stared at me. I looked up, acted surprised and rolled my window down.
And I tried to remember it all for you. I know how you all liked her and I no longer had any fear about her discovering me online somehow. But God damn if I know what she was talking about.
"You should turn your car off," she said, resting her arms on the car window opening, slapping her hands against the inside near my door handle. "I'm not trying to tell you what to do, it's just that I've been there and I've done it and I actually calculated the savings, you know? I'm not just saying whatever, I know that it adds up and you should turn your car off. I needed to talk to you anyway." She waits.
"Oh. I usually--now that it's nice out I mean to but..." but I can't roll my windows down for fear you'll harass me. I left my car running.
"We had colds. I've been waiting for you. I thought I should stay away so you don't get sick, I've been waiting because I would never want that to happen to you. I'm not like that. I didn't want to let it go this long. I just wanted to tell you, while you move and stuff, if you're comfortable--and if you're not I understand--I could take little kid to my house."
"Oh, thank you--"
"But I know that might be difficult. I'm not saying you would ever do that or ever allow your little kid to go off with strangers so instead we'll come to your house and I'll watch him while you unpack and I can talk to you and help. We've been meaning to come over and I tried to call you, did you get my message?"
"Oh! Uh, no, no I didn't. I lost my job and that was their phone. So, no."
"I have to ask you a favor." She leans into my window and waits.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I'm screaming on the inside. "....okay?"
"I know you used to work in real estate and these people told me things about the people who own this place and these other people moved in upstairs, which was fine, I have no problem with that but these other people--Well, let me start from the beginning. Her father wants me to get a job and as you know, and I'm not saying this because you lost your job and most likely won't find a new job and I don't mean that you weren't good at what you do, you know? Don't take this as anything like that, like I'm trying to tell you that you weren't good at your job but he wants me to work full time and I'm like 'why should I work full time when child support covers my expenses' and we'll never agree on a childcare provider, do you know what I'm saying? That it's the best thing and I won't let history repeat itself. That always happens with women, you know? I'm not saying you'll ever get a divorce or that I think you should! No, that's not what I'm saying at all, your marriage seems just fine!"
and it went on and on. I couldn't keep track of it, even for you all. Something about twin beds, a lot about lawyers, stuff about Asian culture. I don't even know. She never asked me for the favor, we never came back around to the original story about the people upstairs or why my real estate expertise was needed, I truly have no idea what this conversation was about. Fifteen minutes later I interrupted her and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt but I've got to get home and get dinner started."
"Well then, I need your new phone number."
"Uh, my phone number? Oh yeah. That's the thing about my phone number that my phone--I got a pay-as-you-go phone, thinking it would be cheap and easy but it, it broke. It doesn't work at all. I'd give you the number but I don't know if they'll give me a new phone and a new number or...I need to call them. I'll call you. I've got your number." (this is all a lie.)
"What's your home number?"
"We don't have one. We got rid of it when we moved."
"Oh. Your husband...is his cell phone a work phone? Because--"
"Yes, it's his company phone. That customers call him on. He sometimes doesn't even have it, his partner has it sometimes." (and another lie.)
"Oh. Well, call me then but make sure you do. I'll come over and--hey! Now that you have nothing to do, you could write a book about me! I have a very interesting life, I'm serious, or about mothers--you know, some who are married and some who aren't and some of the crazy situations they're in."
"......huh. Yeah. That could be interesting. Talk to you soon." and I rolled up my window and got the fuck out of there.
And that's it. Never, ever again. For real this time.
I met my across the street neighbor, who seems like the type of person I wanted bus stop mom to be. She's friendly, outgoing, talkative and seems like she will make sure we become friends through persistence BUT there are no outward signs of craziness this time. However, I'm a little bit scared of her because of the bus stop mom fiasco and find myself avoiding the outdoors because she's always out there. She drinks wine and seems laid back. She walks four miles around the neighborhood each day and invited me to join her. It's a nice offer, but what would we talk about for four miles? Also, four miles is about 3 miles too long for me. 3.5 miles too long on some days.
I'm afraid of moms that live nearby now. I want to give Neighborhood Mom a chance, but I'm not ready for a commitment or any more craziness.
I would like to start going outside again though.