The Apology
We'd like to think it's sincere. I guess that's not for us to judge. Let's see where we go from here.
It's been about a week since I've written. Partially because things have calmed down and partially because I was home resting and recovering. Touching my computer was the last thing I wanted to do.
Last week I drove home from the part-time job that I recently got (Just to get out of the house a bit and do something that I am truly passionate about; phlebotomy) and I had that face-to-face conversation with Tom that I told you about in Am I Being Played?
Things got more interesting.
That night Rich and I went out into the grass to ground ourselves, we let the goats out of their pen to graze and watched the sunset slowly as our daughter rode her ATV around the yard.
Tom came outside, looked at Rich and said "Can we talk?"
One thing about Rich is that he's never disrespectful, sometimes I wish he would be but it's not in his nature. He nodded and walked over to Tom.
Tom said "I owe you an apology".
He and Rich had a good talk, which seemed to have calmed Rich down a little.
Rich explained why he changed our door codes and Tom explained how he truly feels like he is experiencing dementia and is scared. We told Tom that we wouldn't make any decisions or take any action as far as him moving out until we see and talk to the neurologist on April 8.
Tom told us that he is ready to pay rent, so he gave me a check and told me an amount that was more than what we were asking for. After 6 years of rent-free living, treating Rich like his landlord and us sacrificing more than we ever should, I'm fine with cashing his check.
Depositing that check had an effect on both Rich and me. It's like we view him as a tenant now and quite a nuisance.
We'll get more answers tomorrow at the neurologist. If it's dementia, he needs to be safe and with people who can give him the care and attention he needs.
I got the part time job to bring my joy back...and it's working.
Til next time,
