Atmospheric Tension

Things are not well in the Prophet household. We had a huge family fight last night. Things are distinctly uncomfortable. Only because my father continues to act like a child who's in dire need of a time out.

I'm proud to say that I kept my calm. I didn't yell back. I didn't become cruel. (I tend to do these when attacked.) I managed to remain an adult. Whatever he'd hoped to accomplish with his fit backfired royally. He only managed to piss off my mother. She's giving him the silent treatment. He's giving everyone the silent treatment. He doesn't realize that it's only making him look worse, but it's always been this way with him.

My father and I have never gotten along. Mostly because of his vicious mood swings and more vicious barbs. I've taken the brunt of his attacks all of my life. I did it gladly. I'd rather be hurt than see my loved ones hurt. My mom is a loved one. I hate it when he hurts her feelings, so I turn his anger towards me. Always have. I finally told him that I was done. I was done being his punching bag. That no one does anything to incurr his wrath. That it's all him and he needs to get it all worked out because I refuse to play now. And my mother backed me up.

This, of course, was seen as a huge betrayal. I've been disowned. Again. I usually am anytime I manage to make a stand without sinking to his level. In turn, I think my mom's disowned him. I don't know. Everyone's on edge. Even the cat.

I can't do it anymore. I've told him, time and time again, that he needs to stay on his medication. He's awful when he's not on it. I won't have him behaving like this around my kids. They've been through enough. He tried to kick me out and almost got himself kicked out instead. I guess mom's had enough of it, too.

Happy Easter.