Revolutions and Ringtones

 Revolution.  That's what this year has been. From this time last year with COVID lockdowns, then tentatively peaking our heads out to rejoin the world with masks on (figuratively and metaphorically speaking).  

Casey's birthday was on Saturday.  This is the first one that we're celebrating it as a her.  There has been a lot of introspection this month.  Casey has been working through some things, mentally speaking.  The anxiety has been higher than normal this week.  Not just for Casey, but for me as well.  

We celebrated our youngest's birthday last month. I don't necessarily think it completely started the introspection that is currently going on, but it certainly contributed to the anxiety.  The last conversation, just to remind you, was horrible.  Casey's Mom tried bargaining with Casey, saying something to the effect of We'll accept you if you accept the fact that we're not the involved grandparent type.  Let me make it very clear that was not what was EXACTLY said but that's the general gist of it.  

I was honestly holding out hope they would call on their grandchild's birthday.  Despite all the shit they have done, I was holding out hope.  Oddly, that was how I knew my lexapro has started helping.  I had hope.  I was seriously like: They'll call, it will be an olive branch.  There was no phone call.  

Fast forward 16 days and the phone rang. 

The clock said 5:47pm.  Casey, our good friend Betsy and I were sitting on the couch watching the latest episode of John Oliver and eating birthday chili dogs from Portillos.  Both Casey and I had been texting her sister, sharing photos of the day.  Betsy had come over to give Casey a make up lesson for her birthday and she glammed both of us up so you know we were all having fun, smiling and laughing.  And then, the phone rings.  

"Are you going to answer it or am I ignoring it?"  Casey asked, looking at the phone. 

"Ignore," I said.  We had partly been waiting for the call, partly trying to just ignore the possibility.  Casey swiped the phone to go to voicemail.  It rang again, almost instantly.  Again, she sent it to voicemail.  I made an executive decision: "If they call five times, I'll pick up and tell them to stop.  We are at number 2."  I needed to set a limit

The phone rang instantly.  This time it was Casey's sister.  Casey very quickly hit decline, but after a quick conversation we decided that she would call her sister back because it was obvious that her parents wouldn't be able to call and complain to her sister THAT quickly.   Casey called back and his sister and kids (who were "trapped in the car" with her) sang happy birthday.  She sent Casey some awesome eye palettes.  It was the perfect present.  Casey got teary eyed and learned how awesome waterproof mascara can be. 

When we got off the phone a text was waiting.  Casey's parents had wished her a happy birthday. 

They called.  They texted.  We stuck to our plan - we didn't answer the phone, we didn't let them ruin our day.  

It ended up being a great day.