20.8.10

THE BAD


THE BAD:


Late September: The Saturday of the vintage party I woke up early.  S. had been promising me all week that we would "bust it out" and get all the clothes hung on the racks the day of the party instead of earlier in the week as  I suggested.  I went out and up to the garage studio and she was gone.  Fine. I cleaned more and got food and drinks ready. Around noon she came home with new bags from more thrifting. Confused and pressed for time, we began wildly throwing the bins open and hanging everything up. She kept saying "are we really doing this? Are people even coming?" WHAT?   Yes LOTS of people were coming. Yes we are doing it. And lots did come and it ended up being a total success and she made a shit ton of money. BANK.  During the party her "husband" called (not her boyfriend who was fishing but her husband, the father of her 4 yr old son) he asked if She was there and I said yes. "What?  You mean the two of you are not in San Francisco?" "uuuuummm, nnnoooo.  We are here."  "Are you sure she is not in SF?" "Ya, pretty sure." I marched up to her in the studio and told her about the phone call.  She explained that he is crazy and has a terrible temper (and lots of other things, like she is only married to him so he can live in the states, and he forced her to keep the baby saying he would kill her if she gave it up, and that he is obsessed with her still and hates her current boyfriend) and she needed him to watch the kids for the party so she told him that we were in SF. No big deal. "Don't worry, I will think of something to tell him. I am an excellent liar." (ding ding ding ding)

I didn't see her for most of the following week. I assumed she was taking care of her affairs with all of her new money.  By Thursday she was back. "I need to borrow some money." WHAT? What did you do with all the money you just made? "It's gone." More lies, more excuses, more need followed.  There was never enough.  The first week in October I got sick. Really, really sick, like Doctors cutting and draining cysts in my throat to keep me from suffocating, vomiting up blood, diarrhea, lose 15 lbs, can't walk sick, and it lasted, coupled with depression, through the middle of November. S. was up in the garage the whole time. I didn't pay attention to her. She avoided me. One day I got a call from a kid asking for her. An older kid. Who is this?  "This is her son." He was 13 and lived with her mom in Florida. "How did you get this number?" "Its the one she calls me on all the time." I weakly went upstairs to ask her WTF was going on. she was already on the phone (my phone) with him and looking at me petrified. I sat as she finished her conversation. "Ya, I have another son." Fine, why didn't you ask me if you could use my phone to call long distance to Florida? "I have never called. this was the first time." REALLY? hmm. Our phone bill proved otherwise. No biggie. So a few long distance phone calls. For my husband, alarm bells were ringing. There were other things too. Signs I should have seen but didn't. The missing DVDs, the disgusting piles of trash and food accumulating among the higher, waist deep piles of thrifted clothing in the studio, the weird garlic shit smell that wafted down from the stairs in the breeze-way between the door and the garage. One day in November when I was still delirious and sick, she told me that the toilet wouldn't flush. She thinks the pipes are frozen. It happened in her last place and she knew how to fix it. In the mean time she just won't use it. fine. don't use the toilet. whatever.

So many times I have thought about all of the warnings signs. The frequent "white lies," I caught her in, the smells and strange behavior. There is obviously so much more that I have not mentioned.  Little things that flash on the screen when you see the end point twist in a movie. That part that leaves your jaw on the ground. And it was my house. I should have paid closer attention. I was just so sick. and weak. Besides, I NEVER could have fathomed what came next. You don't look for signs of this.

Tomorrow: THE UGLY


Tank: AA
Levis Corduroy pants: vintage thrifted
Belt with coin purse: Vintage thrifted
Sandals: UO
bolo: (Go BOLOMANIA) thrifted
Bracelet: Honduras

41 comments:

Miss May said...

OH snap. I'm already on the edge of my seat, then you go coordinating your outfits to the story?! Shabang! You're bad girl.. Michael Jackson bad.

Many props. I hope this story never ends. Well the bad and ugly parts can end. I just like reading your stories ")

Swalvs said...

No need to say, you're an excellent story teller... I can't believe all these were happening while you were so generous and open hearted for her... Maybe that's the reason but I don't like to think that way... Your scarf looks very beautiful by the way...

Anonymous said...

maybe i should have waited til tomorrow morning to read this, i probably wont be getting to sleep soon cos honestly christina my imaginination is going wild right now.

and then i remember that this isn't a story and it was/is your life, and then that makes me just admire you more for sharing this (and we haven't even reached the end yet!)

amanda said...

wickedly intrigued about what happens next.

Anonymous said...

Your story gives me goose bumps! Is that strange? Haha I loveeee this. Is the ugly tomorrow or Monday? I dont think I can wait 3 days. the story completely distracted me from your outfit but I went back and looked and I love the belt fanny pack!!and the bolo+black top looks great together!

R said...

T'm so glad you decided to share this story; I have always read your references to this ex-friend and wondered how bad it could have actually been. I cannot WAIT to hear what comes next, because it sounds CRAZY!

Anonymous said...

first person said it---I'm on the edge of my seat. And angry for you, mostly. being taken advantage of when you're not well makes me enraged. hope we get to hear the "kicked to the curb" part, too!

you're a badass chick.

-C

Kayla Rochelle said...

You've gone and done it. I'm completely enthralled with your story. I don't even know the ending and I'm already irritated with this girl. It's hard to just be a nice person and have people take advantage of it. Thanks for sharing such a personal tail with us all!

Jill said...

I got in to work four hours ago and have been WAITING to read this. Is that wrong? I'm glad your life is good now and that you're not letting crazy people live with you, but dang, girl, this story is intriguing.

Snappy-Q said...

It is hard to believe that someone would take advantage of you when you seem so nice and generous! Uggh, this just sounds awful.
I can commiserate on the sick thing though, it sounds like a tonsil infection I had several years ago that wouldn't go away and I had to get an abscess in my throat drained so I could breath, and I was so weak and sick for months and lost 20 pounds. So I understand why you had no energy to check up on her more!

Sidewalk Chic said...

I'm so ready to hear the end of this. Oh my goodness, I don't even know the end of it and I'm upset with her behavior, especially when you were so sick.

I love this outfit btw. The little waist bag is very pretty.

merciblahblah said...

Guh....to everything...your kickass black sleek rockstar duds, the story....I am DYING to hear the rest - DYING, I tell you!!!

Merci,
Shannan

Andrea Eames said...

Whoa. Can't wait to hear how this all ended.

Stephanie said...

What brand/color is that eye shadow you're wearing? It's beautiful! I've been looking for something like that for a while.

dear kate said...

again, great writing. we haven't even gotten to "the ugly" yet, and still, i'm horrified for you!
anyway, you look fantastic! i'm loving how your pictures are coinciding with the story!
katie

Tressa said...

I am new to your blog but I love it! You are so original and I love that you can pull together a cool look with stuff that isn't necessarily expensive. It's very inspiring! Plus, this story is very interesting; sorry you had to live it though. I can't wait for the "ugly." I am hooked.

E said...

girl i can't wait to read the rest!

The Village Idiot said...

i am sooo eager to hear the rest of this saga! sooo interesting and you tell it so great!

Louise said...

Okay, I just love stores like this. I mean, I am very sorry that it happened to you, but gosh darn if it isn't entertainment!

Love the monochrome, btw.

Fia Kilbourn said...

I can only imagine what comes next and I will find out tomorrow, but I'm already sad about all the pain and self-doubt you had to go through. I know you mentioned earlier that it's still painful to think about. I hope you find healing eventually.

Anonymous said...

Holy cats!!! This is quite a story, can't wait to hear how it ends. Love your blog, and still working up the nerve to try cutting my own hair one of these days!
Kelly

Kate said...

Great story, the description of the SMELLS really got me! (Who says they just won't use the toilet...? Wha..?)

Beautiful photos, great thrifty outfits, funny prose. Love it all!

Bring on the Ugly!

christa said...

oh my gosh, i can't believe all of this happened to you. i can not wait for the rest of the story...

20 YORK STREET said...

These posts have kept me at the edge of my seat, please keep 'em coming!

http://twentyyork.blogspot.com

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Whoa...crazy.

knittingnora said...

Christina-

This makes my heart hurts for you. I obviously know who S. is... I am sure writing this is freeing in a way. Wish I could hug you, if you were here, and if I didn't get all uncomfortable and weird about hugging.

Side bar: those pants are amazing and I will get my large ass to fit in them one day! I WILL!

Kristin Hassan said...

omg! i'm dying to hear the end of this story! and ps - you look fabulous as always!

Healthy and Homemade said...

This is so sleek! =D

Anonymous said...

This story gets to me because I was in a similar predicament a while back (more than 5 yrs ago), where my trust and blind loyalty for someone got me in a position I never could've thought possible :)

As a mother, I'm feeling a little ill because you did mention the existence of at least 3 kids that you know of and the other 2, although you didn't really get into it, might be staying with her as well?

I'm bracing myself for the Ugly. I know one thing for sure, I'm a 'changed' person after my incident, and I'm almost betting that she left that mark on you as well. I hope you are doing well, health-wise, it sounds really bad (the cyst and the procedures you had to go through).

P.S. I was so enthralled with the story that I almost didn't mention. Fantastic ensemble. I like the necklace and bracelet.

Kimberellie said...

Okay, your outfit is awesome and your story is riveting. I am so not feeling the internet or the blogging world today. But I HAD TO come check out the second installment of your story. I just had to. Now I am getting off the computer again. But I am riveted. Totally riveted.

Haiku Ambulance said...

OH MY GOD!

I am flipping DYING to hear the Ugly part of this story.

I think this is the best Non-Fiction story I've ever read.

Hands down.

And my mind is literally racing with all sorts of ugliness that could be. I mean, these smells are really making me nervous for the conclusion.

Aye, Aye, Aye!!!!

Also, I love the headscarf. I love the belt with coin purse. I actually thought it was a purse that you tied around your waist. Which is also awesome.

The Bolomania obviously warms my heart to no end.

And I have to say that I am effing LOVING these hard-core, bad-ass, rugged-50s girl looks that you're doing.

Not that this is what "you're doing," but either way I really, really, really, really dig it. Kinda teddy boy/girl..?

I'm in love.

.Haiku

Anonymous said...

the sandals and the belt and especially, the story.

hollydare said...

Hanging on the edge of my seat too... Can't wait to hear how this ends.

Maria said...

I was so enthralled with your story that I completely over looked your outfit today!! what kind of a fashion blog reader am I?? Thankfully you posted your intermission and it made me go back and see your outfit :) I love black and tan. And your scarf is pretty awesome! Super excited for the UGLY chapter of your story!

Jodi K said...

Can't wait. I had a crazy "friend" who poisoned me with a birthday cake. I can relate to the wierdness. I think it's funny when people comment "I can't believed she took advantage of you-you're so kind and generous!" Who else are they going to take advantage of? The suspicous and guarded?

Ashley, Lions Lace Lattes said...

I can't wait for your next post! I've read over the last three post like three times!!! This is such a horror story!! I actually feel a little sick to my stomach. I can't imagine what happened next....

btw Really like the outfit!

Rebekah said...

OMG, I knew a lady with the "garlic shit" smell thing and well, not to harp on the negative but...it will haunt me forever.

Shoe said...

I have to say I am completely entranced by your story!

And also, I LOVE what you're wearing in this post!!

:)

thingsididmyself.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I wanna hear more, I love your outfit by the way:)

Linda said...

Love the purple toe nails and those shoes and can not believe this story. I am glad I only just read it today so I could read all three parts together. INSANE!
Good story. It would make a great television series. :)

tavolini said...

aww jeeze. This is tough to read, hon. I'm glad you came out well on the other side. BTW, I have similar levis cords, in tan. Thrifted in 2000...same cut. What era do you think they are?

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