Understanding Relationships Through a Child’s Eyes
My parents divorced when I was 4 years old. My mom got full custody of me and my dad had visitation rights. My dad was a long-haul truck driver. He was one of the best drivers. He won many safe driving awards. For a few years he was a long-haul driving instructor. That meant that the student and my dad lived in the same truck for the long trip. One of his students later became his girlfriend. Her name was Dolly. However, Dolly did not know that she was not the only girlfriend.
One of the other girlfriends (Tina) lived in Atlanta, GA. Uncle Hollis also lived in Atlanta, GA. So, when my dad and I went to see Uncle Hollis we stayed at Tina’s place. I told my dad that I did not like Tina. I told him this when it was just me and him in the car. He asked me why I didn’t like her. I explained that she was not understanding about my food allergies and that her children were mean to me. He explained that he didn’t like her either and that staying with her was cheaper than a motel room. He explained that after her usefulness was over, meaning Uncle Hollies was dead, that he was going to dump her. I am about 6 years old at this time. In the summer of 1991 Uncle Hollis dies. Sometime after the funeral my dad breaks it off with Tina.
The fall of 1991 my dad has decided to ask Dolly to marry him. He plans for me to go to my grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. He has Dolly meet him there. Before can ask Dolly to marry him Grandma puts my dad to work doing some chores for her. My grandma at this time is still running the Raymond Cleaners in Mississippi. So, Dolly is elected to keep me. I actually like Dolly. She was fun. She would play with me, take me out to eat, take me to the movies, and take me bowling.
This next part is difficult to explain. That day I made a big mistake. While Dolly was watching me, I called out the wrong name. I called her Tina. I have no idea why I called her that. Dolly asks me if I have an imaginary friend. I freeze up. I don’t know what to say. My dad gets very angry with me because I have ruined his plans. He tries hard to explain his actions, but to no avail.
Dolly stays in contact with me. Years later we talk about that day. She tells me how thankful was for my mistake. She explains that God was using me to keep her from making a big mistake. She also explains to me that around that same time, she had just started back to church. Over the years she kept going to church.
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