Twisting Words
My dad wanted me to make a music video for him for free, as I work in the film industry. My parents have always been indifferent about my career. However my littlest brother—who is the golden child of the family—now wants to be an actor, and suddenly they are highly invested. OH BOY. So my dad found an opportunity for a “family commercial” for a local news station.
He then volunteered the whole family for it without asking us first. Oh, but it gets so much more outrageous. It’s an extermination commercial, and it would require dressing up in a full insect costume. I said no thanks. Dad was mad because they were “counting on me”.
I stuck with my previous answer. A few days later Dad texted again saying the producer had “asked for me specifically” (ha, yeah right) and would I let him know soon what I had decided? What the heck?? I already decided. Why are you pretending that I haven’t? 12 hours later he texted again saying “I feel hurt when you don’t respond” and “Am I expecting too much? Would you prefer I not reach out so often”?
Ugh, so manipulative to send a I-guess-you-don’t-love-me-anymore text. I composed maybe the most confrontational text I’ve ever sent him, saying: “I already gave you guys my answer. I said no thanks and that hasn’t magically changed. I’m frustrated that you seem to think that I haven’t made a decision unless it’s the one you want me to make”.
He waited a couple of hours (oh irony) and then responded “I don’t care what decision you make… I remain hurt, but willing to bother you less”. ARGGGGGH. Way to twist my words dude. I never said “stop bothering me” I said, “respect when I say no”. And now the whole family is irritated that I won’t just “be invested in the family” and dress up like an ant.
My life is so weird.