Family Ties

Why did my grandfather make house calls to Africville? I need to know.

Why do people assume that because you are single & live alone that you are at the disposal of the universe 100% of the time? "oh you didn't answer the phone. you must be asleep, or at work."

true, i could be asleep or at work.

I could also be at the grocery store, in the parking lot out back, in the shower, on the toilet, out on a date, entertaining a man, taking a walk, shopping for CD's, having coffee with somebody, volunteering at the peace corps etc.

Is it any of your business?

Sometimes i do not answer my phone. This is because i do not want to be disturbed. There's no need for you to take personal offense at that. Leave a message. I will get it. That is why the answering machine was invented. It was not invented so that you can spout off at me for screening - i might not even be screening. Just relax. And stop making so many assumptions.

I am failing miserably in my attempts to be more straight up.

In the past year, i have turned my life around. It has been a lot of hard work. It still is hard work, and i am still just getting started.

And if I am to believe the inferences of my cousin regarding our grandfather, then i am very upset with my mother for spending my entire life in denial, or for keeping secrets about my family from me.

And if my cousin is right, then my grandfather deserves to die alone in his self-imposed exile, and i refuse to feel guilty about spending holidays in the carribbean with my family, who do not love Hitler, and who do love black people. Without shame, reservation or secrecy.