Laurie invited my sisters to her house to sleep over. Actually she invited me too but said she understood if I wanted the house to myself, which I really did.
They went off to the Upper East Side, Danielle for one night and Alex for two. The next morning Laurie called right as I was sitting down at the reception desk at work. She wanted to know if she could take them for haircuts. So for the first time they got professional haircuts from someone other than me, someone who's really trained on how to do it. My method has always been to tape a ruler on their shoulder blades and then simply cut across the bottom of the ruler. Then the other sister and I would see what else needed to be brought in line with the rest of the hair. Crude system, but when you're 12 it seems good enough to sit your six year old in front of the tv to tape a ruler to her back and chop her hair.
When Dani came home she had more than she'd left with. She gave me an envelope that was from Laurie.
Sam,
I hope it is okay with you that I took the girls for a little clothing shopping after our lunch. Thought it would be nice for them to start off the spring and summer with a couple of warm weather clothes. Next time you have a few free hours, I would love to take you as well.
Thanks for letting me indulge my "gaggle of girls" fantasy,
Laurie
Danielle and I sat on her bed and she dumped the bag upside down. A lot of clothes fell out. Grabbing my arm Danielle told me not to freak out and make her give it back. "Everything was on sale." She plucked out something black and dropped it in my lap. "That's for us to share but you can wear it first." Black tank top with lace trim. Dani got a bathing suit and a bikini, a dress (that I can wear with jeans), two tank tops, a pair of shorts, a pair of capri jeans (that I think are ugly) and two short-sleeve shirts. It's a LOT of clothes.
It makes me really uncomfortable that Laurie must have spent so much money. Danielle reassured me a few times that Alex got much less. I sure as hell hope so. Tomorrow afternoon Dani and I are going to make something Passover-friendly for her to put with her thank you note. We are thinking either a banana nut kugel or matzoh brittle.
4 comments:
Laurie obviously cares about you and your sisters. It is also clear that she respects you and understands that you have final say on you and your sister's lives.
I understand your misgivings on the money Laurie spent on your sisters. Just remember that her generosity comes with absolutely no strings attached. Think about how much money people donate to political causes, abortion rights, pro-life groups, churches, clubs and schools. Laurie is choosing to spend money that she clearly has to make you and your sister's lives a little nicer. For her it just feels good to spend her money on you, Danielle and Alex.
You should never expect that Laurie will continue to spend her money on you and your sisters long term. At the same time, you should understand that it makes her feel good to give to you right now. It is just a way for her to say she cares.
o add to what M said, it sounds like Laurie really means what she wrote at the end of her note. If I remember correctly from your past posts, Josh is an only child, right? Laurie may always have wanted a daughter (or daughters) and may be delighted to have you and your sisters to shop with & for, and generally do girly stuff with. I would try hard, if I were you, not to take it as charity but as genuine interest, enjoyment and generosity.
i think Josh has a sister..
but ya as M said its Laurie's way of showing she cares..
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