Water and Tears

We flew to California and back. It was nice to see a real body of water, not just a man-made lake for a change.
Today, I am participating with Wednesday Waters.

She looks at the view with a hunch on her back

Looking a the waves so calm and unpacked

It was Sunday morning in Emeryville's bay

It was nice to get out, feel the breeze on our way

She missed her dad so much I knew she couldn't wait

She would see him soon  before we leave before we cross the gate

In the Oakland airport, she'd see him after 3 years-to-date

She was so excited, she could not think straight.

At last, it was time to head to our flight

Before crossing security she caught her dad's sight

They had forty-five minutes so I left them alone

I did not say a word to him for the sake of my own

One hour after that, she came back with some tears

Followed by an hour of sobbing that seemed years

She was hurt, mad, and sad about his dad who's a mess

For he drank the whole time she loudly confessed

They talked just a bit but he did not make sense

Our poor daughter was crying and very upset

I should have checked but I did not,  I could have stopped it

But now I know, I will not allow any unsupervised visits

***

What would you do if you only have two days to go to a wedding and spend time with your family you have not seen in three or more years?

Last weekend,  Paul and I went to a wedding of my cousin in California bay area. We had relatives to see in such a short time, and my daughter's father she wanted to see. We do not get along to say that very lightly so you can imagine how I felt about this meeting. Do you love meeting your ex? You do not have to answer that.

 My last conversation with him was about a year ago over the phone.

“What are you doing with our kids?” he asked in a blaming kind of voice. How else would it be? The choice of words said it all.

I have been the only one physically, emotionally, and financially parenting our teens who are less than perfect and oh-so-challenging as if raising them as a single parent is not hard enough. He blamed me for the wrong things that were happening but failed to thank me each day for six years that our two kids still have food on the table, roof over their heads, and clothes to wear. I ended our talk  for the fear of I might turn incredible hulk over the phone and pull his ear through the speaker and drag him out.

But then after the story, I regret not checking on him first, sniffing him for alcohol odor, donning my spy glasses, and following them around the airport a little. I should have set aside my annoyance with my ex-husband for the sake of my daughter.

Oh, well, lesson learned, my kids' welfare should come first.

What would you have done in this situation?