Nocturnal Obsession

“Mom, it’s just not working out,” Teresa insisted. “I’ve tried and tried, but it’s hopeless. Totally hopeless.” “That’s too bad, dear.” Teresa glanced through the vertical blind slats that covered the window as they gently swung in the breeze of the ceiling fan above, grateful that she had a mother she could talk to. Really talk to. They were almost more like old friends than mother and daughter. “You’ve only been out there five months, sweetie. You’ll meet new people that you have more in common with.” “It’s not just that Wayne and I seem to share less and less in common these days. There are other things as well,” Teresa told her. “Like what?” “Well, first he said he did want kids, but now he insists he doesn’t want them at all.” “They never do.” Teresa stilled her pacing. “What do you mean, Mom? You’ve got four of us.” “Honey, I practically had to trick your dad into having each and every one of you,” she revealed. “He was okay with it once you all got to be about four months in my tummy, but men don’t go down in that department so easily, honey. Never have, never will. Not that I don’t agree with you about the fact that he should’ve been honest with you up front on the issue, but this is perfectly normal. You’re far from the first woman to go through this and far from the last.” “You know what bothers me more than him changing his story about having kids?” “What’s that?” “His lack of empathy as to how it’s hurt me. It really bothers me, Mom. The guy seems to have no guilt, no remorse, no sympathy whatsoever for the emotional rollercoaster he’s put me through with this. He feels nothing I feel and he feels nothing for me. It’s almost like my suggesting we marry and start a family is asking for way too much. For something unreasonable.” “Well, I certainly feel bad for you and what you’ve gone through with him. He’s just not right for you, so it seems.” “No, he’s not. It’s not just the big issues we don’t see eye to eye on; it’s a bunch of little things that are adding up as well. He’s constantly staying out late with his so-called buddies. You know, the ones who come over to pig out, howl over sports on TV, then leave me to clean up after them. And Mom?” “Yes?” “I hate the male scent!” Teresa’s mom giggled. “I know they can’t help it, but they stink!” “That they do, my dear, that they do. Even when they’re not doing much to work up a sweat.” “I’m just sick of everything male. So much so that I think I should find a woman. Not just because men stink, don’t want to be fathers, always want sex, and are more married to their buddies than their wives and girlfriends, but because women are just as nice looking, if not better in some cases.” “Ok,” said Teresa’s mother, “whatever suits your fancy. You know I’ll love you either way.” “Yes, I know you will. That’s why I’m so glad you’re my mom,” Teresa said with a smile. “Aw, thank you, sweetie. As I’ve always said, your happiness is what’s important.” “Well, I’m definitely not happy with Wayne. We just don’t agree on anything. If I say it’s cold, he says it’s hot. If I want to do something right away, I’m impatient. If I want to wait, I’m lazy and procrastinating. It’s gotten to the point where I can count his good traits on one hand while I’d need all the hands in Phoenix to count his bad.” Teresa’s mom chuckled. “Guess it’s time you gave that young man his walking papers. Does he know how you feel?” “Yes, I’ve expressed myself many times, but he just doesn’t get it. You know what they say anyway. We can’t change others. They have to change themselves.” “That’s true.” “Besides,” Teresa continued, “I don’t want to have to force or trick a man into fatherhood.” “But how would you have a child with a woman?” “I don’t know. Adoption, I guess, or maybe artificial insemination. I’ll worry about that when the time comes. I’ve got time.” “Yes, you do. Keep that in mind, Teresa. You’re young yet. Experience and live life for a while.” “I will, Mom. Speaking of life, how’s life in Maine? How’s Daddy and everyone else?” “They’re just fine. The weather’s been in the high seventies to low eighties.” “Not here,” said Teresa. “June’s the fiercest month in Arizona, so they say. It’s been well over a hundred degrees.” “Wow! I think I’ll wait until December or January to visit you,” said her mom with a laugh. They hung up after a few more minutes of chatter. Teresa looked around her. She would miss living in a house, but she knew she was doing the right thing, she thought, as she began to pack her belongings, which weren’t very much. When she was done, she sat on the front porch to wait for Wayne to return home from his construction job.