My family isn’t too happy with how I returned from my last deployment. They want me to be the same guy I was before I joined the Navy. Newsflash, that’s never going to happen. It’s not like I can just forget everything I’ve seen or done. My entire perspective on life changed during my time serving my country, and they will just have to deal with that.
I try to be more open with them now, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. They’re always prying at me to date, get out more, and enjoy life. Maybe I like my life the way it is. Why did I need a girlfriend to be happy? Ugh. They will never understand. No matter how many times I try to explain.
I pull into the driveway, and the door opens with my mom waiting to greet me with a peck on the cheek. “Finally. Wasn’t sure if you were going to make it.”
“Why would I ever miss your cooking?” I reply, walking into the house, taking off my coat, and then taking a seat in the living room next to my dad.
“Glad to see you could join us, son. I take it that business is still booming?”
My parents are both retired, and he likes to stay up to date on my business. Unlike my mother and sisters, he didn’t pry on the other stuff.
“Constantly having to hire more people. Word of mouth is bringing us a lot more business nowadays. Still can’t thank you enough.”
His hands pats on my shoulder, “All I did is help you realize what you needed and introduce you to a few people. You did all the rest. Why are you thanking me? You should be proud of yourself for starting a company in this economy, especially in Dallas, no less. Other start-ups will learn a thing or two from you, son.”
It warms my heart that he is proud of me and my accomplishments. Doesn’t every child want that? He knew better than anyone how hard it is to run a successful business, having started a technology company and running it for ten years before retiring.
“Randall, Hudson… time for dinner.”
Before retreating to the dining room, I ask one last question.
“What do I get to look forward to as a conversation over dinner tonight?”
“More of the same, son. Just listen and nod. It’s better than arguing, you know that by now.”
Over dinner, my mom asks the same questions from Sunday dinner. Do you have a girlfriend yet? You’re not getting any younger. My mom wants grandchildren, which is great, but does she need to push me to jump in head first? It will be years before that happens. I’m not going to just meet someone and start popping out babies. I will not rush into any relationship, and most definitely not into marriage. Who wants to bring children into this world, and then break up the family? No, I want to make sure the relationship and marriage are going to work before bringing anyone else into the equation.
“Listen, you will be the first to know when I have a girlfriend, okay? I’m sick of getting asked this every week,” I tell her, trying to get it through her head to stop asking me these questions. It’s none of her business.
I cherish my mother and she sacrificed a lot for us kids, but enough is enough. This is my life, and it’s my decision how to live it.
Why do I need a woman in my life? I’m content. There is no need to throw a wrench into the story.