In celebration of his new job today, the youngest grandson went out drinking last night to excess with the oldest. We’re all proud of his efforts to find and keep a regular job, staying at his last place a few years and now looking forward to better things. He secured himself a nice corporate gig. Good wages and perks for a kid with nothing for generations. No fully-paid working adult for generations to be a role model.
They got too drunk. He slept in and missed his orientation in the morning. His first real day of work for the new place. In anger, he began screaming and punching things in the upstairs hallway. Punching boxes of Grandma’s disposable undergarments that she needs since her last injury to the area. Wrecking some of the boxes in the process.
The last injury caused by a former “friend” of hers of 22 years who she says physically attacked her at a retreat. A previously irritated wound caused by her mother. A wound the doctors have trouble finding, barely believing Grandma in her hysteria around the pain and suffering it has caused her. Telling her it’s just scar tissue. A woman doesn’t wear Depends for nothing.
Grandma turns on a live on social media to protect herself and her home and heads upstairs. The anger stifles, and the boys and their friend who had slept over shuffle around the room, grabbing their belongings to leave as soon as possible. The oldest boy loses his weed and begins to now lose his cool as well. Grandma still on a live, captures everything for her audience of a few family members and friends.
The boys need anger and coping strategies, having had a life of frustrations to fuel their hatred and anger. They’ve tried before, but have faced barriers time and again. Counselors leaving the family once they realize the true scope of their issues. Unwilling to direct bill to NIHB, the federal payment system for Indigenous health concerns. A new counselor immediately leaving the practice after their 2nd session. Lack of phone or internet appointments available and no bus tickets. Inability to fill out forms themselves…
It’s an uphill battle, but Grandma knows her and her home’s safety rely on her video livestreaming the situation in its full. That without the camera rolling, the boys’ anger would explode, as would Grandma’s, and world’s would collide. What choice did she have, in her eyes?
The friend went to the kitchen later, and found the “missing weed”. The oldest grandson apologizing for his role in the growing anger. The youngest now already left the house. These choices are theirs now, being above the age of 18, but still not always their conscious choices.
Grandma says she wishes they would just grow up and, in her words, “fuck off!” She realizes their consequences as adults can now be severe and she desperately wants them to avoid trouble with the law, knowing the status a young Indigenous male often elicits from them.
After the flip out, the youngest boy still made to the orientation, but late and still smelling of weed and alcohol. Securing him his first reprimand with the company. He came back home clearly upset, having received a reprimand during orientation, but mostly kept his cool.
The boys taking off a few hours later for a comedy show, a rare blessing of fun for a few hours. Grandma was also happy for the respite. Just hanging out smoking bowls with their friend until they returned.
At least it would give them some more hours to calm down.
What did you inherit that you’re still trying to work your way out of?
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