The One With the Sister

I know that the majority of my readers (all both of you) are acquainted with my sister, Jenn. She's an interesting individual. Right now, her life is in a bit of turmoil because she is trying to figure out just what she is supposed to be doing with her life and she is finding that difficult. She now feels like she wants to go to Cosmetology school, but needs our father to pay for it as it's somewhere in the realm of $9000 for the six month course.

He is somewhat reluctant. I can't fault him for that. He has been remarkably understanding as she and I have grown up and dealt with switching colleges (four between the two of us, not including Cosmetolgy school) and majors, my taking a year off to work, her eventually dropping out to work, etc. At this point, he is wary about shelling out more money for a new school when Jenn's track record does not instill confidence as to the possibility of Jenn's graduating.

All this to say, Jenn tends to follow a pattern. She gets a new idea, talks it over with Dad who promptly shoots it down in as inconsiderate a way as he can manage, and calls me to vent about it and figure out how to change his mind. I'm fine with that, that's why I am here. The problem is that the last two (that I recall, probably more than that) of these phones call have ended with an angry *CLICK* in my ear for not telling her exactly what she wants to hear. I can't fault Dad for being trepidatious about her newest endeavor, nor do I have any right to change his mind. He was not completely without grace. He told her that if she kept a job for six months to show him that she was serious, he would consider sending her to Cosmetology school (I have no idea why I keep capitalizing that). She, obviously, thinks his requirement insulting. I can understand her point of view, but I also understand his. And, truthfully, I am on his side. He wants to see if this desire is going to fade in a month like previous ones had and I think that's a wise way to go. I told her that it wasn't an unfair request and since she has no money to pay for school herself, she has no other option. I said it nicer than that. Anyway, that earned me the latest hang up.

I have since decided that to continue these conversations with her places me squarely within the glutton-for-punishment category and sent her a text message telling her not to call me anymore. Does that make me a bad brother? Perhaps. I mean, it IS a little harsh, but I am tired of this stupidity. She refuses to learn to be respectful, so I am going to treat her as I would any other person on the planet. You hang up on me, you lose the right to speak to me on the phone.

Maybe I'm just mad. Although, I don't really feel mad.........Tomorrow, I'll probably feel differently.






Or probably not. Sorry, Jenn. Talk to you wen next I visit Dallas.