This week: Move on.
I have two cell phones. Pimptastic? Not really.
I’ve had one of the cell phone numbers since moving to Los Angeles in 2002. The other? I got it after marrying Harv. No one calls me on the first number anymore, but I haven’t been able to give it up. I’ve been waiting for a phone call.
I saw my father for the last time in 2000. My parents were getting divorced, and I came home to help my mom pack and move to another state. The morning my parents signed the divorce papers, I helped my brother load up the last of the moving boxes into the moving van, hugged my dad, and told him that I would call him soon.
I wanted to tell him that just because I was helping my mom move, I wasn’t taking her side. I wasn’t taking anybody’s side. I still loved both of them. I still wanted both of them to love me. I didn’t say those things. I wish I had.
After my mom moved away, I left several messages for my dad in the following months, but he never called back. I rationalized. I reasoned. Maybe talking to me would remind him of his failed marriage. Maybe seeing me would make him sad.
After four years, I decided to reach out. I looked up his information on the internet. After searching through different white page databases, I finally found his phone number. I waited until 11:30 p.m. on a Thursday night to call him, hoping he still had the same work schedule, working the 2:00-11:00 shift from Sunday through Thursday.
He picked up on the third ring. I was relieved when he sounded happy to hear from me. I didn’t ask why he hadn’t returned any of my phone calls. I wanted to put the past behind us and move forward. During the half-hour-long phone conversation, we didn’t get into a deep discussion, but he asked if I was doing okay. I told him that I was fine. I told him that I missed him.
I offered my phone number. He accepted. He said he would call soon because too much time had passed, and he didn’t want us to be strangers.
“I would like that, Dad.”
Sometimes, a week or two will pass before I check my phone, permanently plugged into a corner of my bedroom. I flip it open, hoping to see a message or even a missed call notification.
I’ve waited seven years for his phone call.
I’m disconnecting the number this week. It’s time to move on.
photo via knockknock.biz
Homes. I feel you. At an early age of 10, I disowned my biological sperm donor.
When I was younger like 5 or 6 maybe (I dunno, it’s been a while), (I lived with my Gma in the Philippines while Mom worked abroad to provide for me and give me a better tomorrow) I remembered the donor would give me presents on my beerday and occasionally spend time with me. At 7 years old, Mom finally moved me to Japan with my new and better Dad (the only Father I claim) along with my new baby broski.. Damn, I got carried away trying to explain my point.
Anyway, Japan= No more phone calls or beerday presents.
Before turning 10, we moved to the States. Well, guess fucking what? Who decides to call me on MY beerday, asking ME (a 10 year old) for some damn money?! The fuck?!?!
Dude, why are you callin me now after 3 years of no contact. How dare you ask me for some money?!
Of course I was younger then, but even at an early age I knew that I did the right thing. Damn skippy I told Mom on him and she bitched him out and told his ass never to call me again! Since then I told her I don’t want him in my life, he was just a donor and he doesn’t exist. Not once did I ever regret that decision.
So, how bout some number of years ago (I think I was 25, I dunno I don’t try and keep up with how old I am bc I know I’m nearing 30 soon), in my old fb account, I get a friend request from the mother fucker. The fuck?!? again?!?! Not even a hello? How you doing? Just a request. Dude, who the fuck do you think you are?! SMH, he got blocked of course. I still don’t want him in my life. I have a Dad, a REAL one. And I’m not sorry I never got to know my donor.
Gosh, I hope that Cal feels this way about my husband when she gets older…that even though they are not biologically related, he is, in fact, her REAL dad, because he loved her and raised her and cared for her. Being a dad is not about donating the sperm. And it most certainly is not about being FB friends or asking for cash!
I love that you shared this with me. Thank you, sista.