First America Holiday (9)
The next day I left work at noon because we were picking up Tyler at school, going down to the Arch and then to a Cardinals
baseball game. Marco had wanted to take James and Tyler together to 6-Flags, but there was no way he could have handled them
both. So this was the first time we were taking Tyler someplace, and they were both pretty excited. Although I have to admit, I was
worried that having to go for more than one hour without a tv or game system in front of him would drive Tyler nuts.
He still couldn't quite figure this Marco person out. He new Marco made him laugh, but I think the accent sort of threw him for a
loop. In fact, one of the first times Tyler talked to Marco on the phone I laughed my ass off. James, Tyler and I were all on a
different phone, all talking to Marco at the same time. After a short while Tyler just said, in his very best imitation of Marco's
accent, "Ok enough of this German stuff, good-bye!" then hung up the phone. hahaha But he was only playing and got back on to
finish talking some more. Tyler is very literal in his ways of thinking. He's smart as hell. Too smart if you ask me, but the way his
mind works sometimes is just plain funny. Like the first time he told me that the brown boys at school were being mean to him, I
just about pissed in my pants from laughing. I knew he was talking about black boys, but he refuses to call them black, because their
skin isn't black, it's brown. So he didn't understand why I was being so silly laughing. It was painfully clear to him that he was
right and I was wrong.
We stopped to get the game tickets before going to the Arch. We were just gonna sit in the bleacher section so Marco could hang
out with all of the beer drinkers. But he surprised us and came out with tickets for super good seats. We were up just a little ways,
in between home plate and third base. We went up in the Arch, did the tour of the museum underneath, and then went to the ball
game. I had told them that is was their choice together where we at that night. They both chose Hooters, go figure! But the wait for
the Arch was so long we had to skip it. Oh darn! hahaha
Tyler did great at the game! He was yelling and cheering louder than anyone in our whole section. Every time he heard someone
else yelling, he would have no clue what they were cheering for, but would join right in. And Marco did better in this section than
he would have in the bleachers. The guys sitting next to us were buying him a never-ending round of beer. Each time saying,
"welcome to America!" hahaha At one point he whispered to me and asked if he should return the favor and buy them all one. I just
said, "Hell No! We won't ever see them again. They are a bunch of drunk fools, if they want to fill you with beer, let them!"
By the time we got home after the game it was pretty late, and Tyler wasn't done playing with Marco yet, so we took him to my
house and let him spend the night. I would just drop him off at his house in the morning on our way to camping so he could get
ready.
Friday I only went into work until about 10:00am and then went home so we could pack everything into the truck for our
camping trip. Marco camps all the time in Holland when he fishes. He usually brings the bare minimum needed, and carries it all
in a backpack at one time. Well this was America, and we were gonna do things my way. I am in no way shape or form an outdoors
type person. So when I go camping, I need to 'rough it' as little as possible. For just the 2 of us, the entire bed of my truck was filled
to the top! I won't even go unless I have an air mattress to sleep on. Nature is fine, as long as I am looking at it from inside a car
as we drive by. And bugs? Forget about it, I hate them.
Marco and I arrived at the campsite about 2 hours before everyone else. It was very nice though, because by the time everyone
else was arriving, we were totally done. We had set up my condo tent, unpacked all the food and clothes, set up the lawn chairs and
were sitting around drinking a beer. While everyone else was setting up all their stuff, James and Marco went down to do some
fishing in the river. I don't think either of them caught anything, but at least they were fishing. Jim took Marco with him to cut
down some trees so we had wood for the fire. When they got back Marco showed me his hands. OhMyGawd, they were cut up and
raw as hell. He had some massive blisters from chopping the wood. The poor baby. But, before I could even say, "Awww" I said,
"Damnit Jim, if this means that he cant row the canoe tomorrow and I have to do all the work, your ass is MINE!" hahaha
I found the first aid kit, fixed up Marco's hands and told him to go sit and relax, no more being a manly man for him today. The
weather was really nice all day, but was getting ready to major storm. My tent was big enough for all of us to move into there when
the rain started. For most of the evening we all had a great time. That changed when drunken idiotic tempers came into the picture.
The incident that happened was no surprise. I've witnessed the same type of thing happening my entire life. It wasn't the first time,
and sure as hell wouldn't be the last. But the fact that it took place in front of Marco, is not only the reason that I have yet to forgive
it, but more than likely NEVER will. Moritfying utter humiliation at the way some of my own family acted in front of him is
intolerable and unforgivable. When I was in Holland, Marco's family was a pure joy to be around. I don't know what they act like
when I'm not there. But while I was there, they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and treated myself, as well as each
other with nothing but the utmost respect. It was absolutely sickening that my own family couldn't give Marco the same courtesy.
Enough said.
Originally we were supposed to camp on Friday, float on Saturday, camp again on Saturday night and then go home on Sunday.
Cathi and Jim had forgotten about a theme-karioke party that was scheduled for Saturday night and decided they were going to
drive home after floating and go to that. Friday, before the incident, I gave the choice to Marco what he would like to do. We could
either stay and camp or go home and go to the bar with them. He loved going out with Jim, and was really starting to get into this
karioke thing, so he chose going to the bar. Jennifer and Brian were gonna go with us as well. However now, that was the last thing
I wanted to do. But if Marco wanted to, I would do it for him.
When we woke up Saturday morning, we weren't quite sure what we were going to do that night. He knew how I felt about going
out, but knew I would go if he wanted me to. We decided just to pack up everything and either way, just go home after floating. Even
if we didn't go out, Jennifer and Brian could come over and we could hang out at the house. Everyone was pretty quiet all morning
as we packed things back into the cars. I was more angry now than I was the night before. There was no reason that the one thing
that Marco had looked forward to more than anything else during this Holiday should have been ruined. And now, instead of being
a carefree weekend, there was tension coming from everyone. Continue
baseball game. Marco had wanted to take James and Tyler together to 6-Flags, but there was no way he could have handled them
both. So this was the first time we were taking Tyler someplace, and they were both pretty excited. Although I have to admit, I was
worried that having to go for more than one hour without a tv or game system in front of him would drive Tyler nuts.
He still couldn't quite figure this Marco person out. He new Marco made him laugh, but I think the accent sort of threw him for a
loop. In fact, one of the first times Tyler talked to Marco on the phone I laughed my ass off. James, Tyler and I were all on a
different phone, all talking to Marco at the same time. After a short while Tyler just said, in his very best imitation of Marco's
accent, "Ok enough of this German stuff, good-bye!" then hung up the phone. hahaha But he was only playing and got back on to
finish talking some more. Tyler is very literal in his ways of thinking. He's smart as hell. Too smart if you ask me, but the way his
mind works sometimes is just plain funny. Like the first time he told me that the brown boys at school were being mean to him, I
just about pissed in my pants from laughing. I knew he was talking about black boys, but he refuses to call them black, because their
skin isn't black, it's brown. So he didn't understand why I was being so silly laughing. It was painfully clear to him that he was
right and I was wrong.
We stopped to get the game tickets before going to the Arch. We were just gonna sit in the bleacher section so Marco could hang
out with all of the beer drinkers. But he surprised us and came out with tickets for super good seats. We were up just a little ways,
in between home plate and third base. We went up in the Arch, did the tour of the museum underneath, and then went to the ball
game. I had told them that is was their choice together where we at that night. They both chose Hooters, go figure! But the wait for
the Arch was so long we had to skip it. Oh darn! hahaha
Tyler did great at the game! He was yelling and cheering louder than anyone in our whole section. Every time he heard someone
else yelling, he would have no clue what they were cheering for, but would join right in. And Marco did better in this section than
he would have in the bleachers. The guys sitting next to us were buying him a never-ending round of beer. Each time saying,
"welcome to America!" hahaha At one point he whispered to me and asked if he should return the favor and buy them all one. I just
said, "Hell No! We won't ever see them again. They are a bunch of drunk fools, if they want to fill you with beer, let them!"
By the time we got home after the game it was pretty late, and Tyler wasn't done playing with Marco yet, so we took him to my
house and let him spend the night. I would just drop him off at his house in the morning on our way to camping so he could get
ready.
Friday I only went into work until about 10:00am and then went home so we could pack everything into the truck for our
camping trip. Marco camps all the time in Holland when he fishes. He usually brings the bare minimum needed, and carries it all
in a backpack at one time. Well this was America, and we were gonna do things my way. I am in no way shape or form an outdoors
type person. So when I go camping, I need to 'rough it' as little as possible. For just the 2 of us, the entire bed of my truck was filled
to the top! I won't even go unless I have an air mattress to sleep on. Nature is fine, as long as I am looking at it from inside a car
as we drive by. And bugs? Forget about it, I hate them.
Marco and I arrived at the campsite about 2 hours before everyone else. It was very nice though, because by the time everyone
else was arriving, we were totally done. We had set up my condo tent, unpacked all the food and clothes, set up the lawn chairs and
were sitting around drinking a beer. While everyone else was setting up all their stuff, James and Marco went down to do some
fishing in the river. I don't think either of them caught anything, but at least they were fishing. Jim took Marco with him to cut
down some trees so we had wood for the fire. When they got back Marco showed me his hands. OhMyGawd, they were cut up and
raw as hell. He had some massive blisters from chopping the wood. The poor baby. But, before I could even say, "Awww" I said,
"Damnit Jim, if this means that he cant row the canoe tomorrow and I have to do all the work, your ass is MINE!" hahaha
I found the first aid kit, fixed up Marco's hands and told him to go sit and relax, no more being a manly man for him today. The
weather was really nice all day, but was getting ready to major storm. My tent was big enough for all of us to move into there when
the rain started. For most of the evening we all had a great time. That changed when drunken idiotic tempers came into the picture.
The incident that happened was no surprise. I've witnessed the same type of thing happening my entire life. It wasn't the first time,
and sure as hell wouldn't be the last. But the fact that it took place in front of Marco, is not only the reason that I have yet to forgive
it, but more than likely NEVER will. Moritfying utter humiliation at the way some of my own family acted in front of him is
intolerable and unforgivable. When I was in Holland, Marco's family was a pure joy to be around. I don't know what they act like
when I'm not there. But while I was there, they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and treated myself, as well as each
other with nothing but the utmost respect. It was absolutely sickening that my own family couldn't give Marco the same courtesy.
Enough said.
Originally we were supposed to camp on Friday, float on Saturday, camp again on Saturday night and then go home on Sunday.
Cathi and Jim had forgotten about a theme-karioke party that was scheduled for Saturday night and decided they were going to
drive home after floating and go to that. Friday, before the incident, I gave the choice to Marco what he would like to do. We could
either stay and camp or go home and go to the bar with them. He loved going out with Jim, and was really starting to get into this
karioke thing, so he chose going to the bar. Jennifer and Brian were gonna go with us as well. However now, that was the last thing
I wanted to do. But if Marco wanted to, I would do it for him.
When we woke up Saturday morning, we weren't quite sure what we were going to do that night. He knew how I felt about going
out, but knew I would go if he wanted me to. We decided just to pack up everything and either way, just go home after floating. Even
if we didn't go out, Jennifer and Brian could come over and we could hang out at the house. Everyone was pretty quiet all morning
as we packed things back into the cars. I was more angry now than I was the night before. There was no reason that the one thing
that Marco had looked forward to more than anything else during this Holiday should have been ruined. And now, instead of being
a carefree weekend, there was tension coming from everyone. Continue
