Relatives

Today was incredibly strange.
It was my granparents' (mom's dad and step mom) 25th anniversary, and they threw a luncheon party at Maggiano's. While there, my uncle, Stuart, gives me this really tight hug, says, "We need to talk later," and walks away. Odd. So I sit for lunch, being polite and friendly to my grandparents' friends and just generally pretending I care for a while.

Sometime after desert, my aunt Marnie starts taking pictures and I am therefore required to stand up. Stuart then drags me out of the room saying that I don't need to be in any more pictures and that my grandparents know what I look like.
Stuart: I just want you to know we love you.
Me: I know. I love you guys, too.
Stuart: No matter what.
Me: Okay. I know.
Stuart: If you ever need anything, you let me know.
Me: Okay. But why was this so important that you needed to talk to me privately?
Stuart: I found your myspace when you added Kyle the other day [which was evidently against my original better judgment].
Me: Okay...
Stuart: And if you need any help telling your parents--
Me: Telling my parents? About what?
Stuart: You know, what was on your profile.
Me: What? That I'm gay? They've known for over a year.
Stuart: Oh. Okay...Well, just know that no one in this family cares. Or, well, I suppose I can't speak for everyone. But no one under MY roof cares.

Gah. What's weird is that Stuart is Harlan's twin, and now they've both found me on myspace. Luckily, these are the only two I would expect there, and I rather like James (the last brother) and don't worry about him knowing or caring. But what is with these 42-year-olds on this website? And why the whole fiasco just to tell me you don't care? If you really don't care, just say so and move on. I appreciate family support, but I will be what I will be--whether or not my uncles approve.

Also, my grandparents were sickly proud of me being the first grandkid in college; I'm only the second grandkid. But that was how they introduced me to everyone: "This is Jenn, she's our first grandchild in college. Oh, we're so proud of her!!" (pinch my face, AGAIN). It was like Kyle (21, in the Marines, looks like Matt's fantasy boy in the soccer pics a few posts down) didn't exist. It's not like the Marines are something to not be proud of...


To make the day stanger still, after dinner, my other grandmother and Mary came over after leaving the nursing home where Dale is for the night and we watched Transamerica. Weird movie to watch with a grandparent. Grandmom's comment was, "I'm so glad I'm satisfied with my gender."