Lisa You're Great

Lisa has really impressed me –even though I now know she doesn’t like me very much. I heard the story partly from Sue and partly from Annette who spoke to me this morning.

Last Sunday, Lisa said to Sue, “You must drive me to Annette’s place.” Sue said it was an order and she knew better to argue or question. Lisa put their daughter in to the capsule and Sue drove her there. She told Sue to park around the corner, got out and took the baby capsule and went around the corner knocked on the door.

Annette answered the door and Lisa marched straight in without being asked and sat down in a chair in the living room.
Then she said. “I want to show you my daughter. I love her very much – if anyone stood between her and me, I would probably kill them.”

She paused and looked steadily at Annette. Then she said:

“Sue loves our daughter too. If anyone stood between them, she would probably kill that person also. If I took our daughter away, she would fight me and she is right. John has lost his son and he is very hurt. John does not deserve this – if I was him, I would fight those responsible but John is too nice.”

“Get out.”

“No. Not until I finish talking.”

Annette called her father and when he arrived, she said, “Dad, get this person out of here.”

“I am not throwing out a woman who has just had a baby.”

“Mum would.”

“Your mother is not here and you know how I feel about what you are doing – I think you need to listen.”

Annette said, “Then I am going out”. Lisa said” I will follow you until you until you hear what I say.”

“Ok, fuck it, say it and then fuck off.”

“John needs to see his son.”

“John will never see MY son again after the way he treated me.”

“What did he do to you?”

“He broke me off from Grace.”

“I’m sorry Annette – I didn’t realise you were a half-wit.” Lisa said standing up. “I guess I had better go – no one can deal with someone so dumb.”

“I am not dumb – that’s what I feel.”

“Get this straight then – maybe you do not like it but John did not break the relationship. Grace just didn’t love you enough. Maybe it is not nice to say that but I’m not nice. And do not punish John for the fact that Grace is a self-centred, selfish woman.”

Annette said she immediately knew in her heart that Lisa was saying the truth and she was angry but also exposed. Lisa was the first person to throw the truth so directly into her face.

Lisa continued “John is hurting. That makes me very angry because he has treated you so very well. You are angry at Grace. I can understand that – we all know she is selfish person who lives in her own world.” (Annette took great delight in repeating that to me.) “But, John did not dump you or try to break any relationship – he defended you and supported you throughout. And you treat him like shit. I am angry. Sue is angry. You should be ashamed.”

“Why do you defend John?”

“Because he looked after you – he worried about you – he has cared for your son and has given you a chance to recover – he is the only man I trust because he has helped me and Sue so much. And Grace has hurt him too much – he doesn’t need you doing him wrong too.”

“How has Grace hurt him?”

“By picking up with that Indian woman, by living in her own world and fucking everything that moves while he has to watch and wait. He has been her personal doormat.”

“It could be good for him if she drops him – he can stop being a doormat and maybe he might even find a more compatible woman someday if anyone ever wants him – although I doubt that.”

“Fuck! Lots of women want him! He will find someone! I can think of a few women who want him even without looking far. Don’t undervalue him just because you prefer women. Sue and I will not let him be hurt.”

“Is he very sad about Grace?”

“He has known a long time she would go – so he is resigned, He is hurting too much about his son to feel much more.”

“You are talking about MY son.”

“Yours and his.”

“How is Grace?” Does she miss me at all?”

“Grace only thinks of Grace. But at the moment she has reason to hurt.”

“How.”

“Some asshole client raped her. She has no life in her now – even I feel sorry for her.”

“And John, will he try to take my son away?”

“Fuck it! Are you stupid? He would never do that.”

“Maybe I will let him see my son sometimes.” Annette said she knew she had to do the right thing – her anger was quickly turning to a sad realisation that she and I would not work and it wasn’t John’s fault. She was crying and Lisa actually comforted her.
“Good! But think what is good for your son – and maybe sometimes will become often. Your son needs a dad like John.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Sure but let John know soon – he needs it.”

Lisa had done with a mix of bullying, argument, emotion and strength what we had all failed to do – she had got Annette to the next stage. What she said about me was certainly not flattering but the result was so good that I cannot complain too much.
Sue, who, when she spoke to me, tactfully omitted the more critical comments about me which Annette filled in, told me when Lisa returned to the car, she look very satisfied with herself but just said “well, I think that’s fixed.’

Sure enough, Annette called later that day. John was out and I answered. It was an awkward conversation since Annette is still very angry at me. When Annette called, she asked me to pass on a suggestion that John come around on Sunday for a play with their son and a “more positive” talk with her.

Sue is so proud of Lisa for what she did and John seems happier than I have seen him for months.