I was excited to take the class. I didn't mind that it was mandatory for parents in MA who are getting divorced. Any info I can get to help my daughter through this rough transition is welcome. There were about 20 people in the class Wednesday night, and maybe one or two shared my point of view. The lady teaching the class was friendly and compassionate though. She wanted to know all of our stories, and most of us shared, others scowled. We had a few good laughs anyway. When asked what we gained in a divorce, our list included weight, debt, and freedom. And what have we lost? We've lost our MINDS! At least temporarily, at some point or another. And why do we think the divorce rate has gone up so much in the last 50 years? Oh I know this one! "Because guys are lazy bums; they don't work as hard as they did back then." I smiled at my snide remark. The laughter in the room was abruptly interrupted by shouting, "I'M OFFENDED BY THAT AND IF THIS CONTINUES I'M LEAVING!" It was the guy who earlier had introduced himself bitterly as, "My wife wants a divorce and I don't. I really don't want to be here." I slouched down in the chair I had taken next to the teacher. "Sorry," I muttered. The class was quiet. I stared at my hands as the teacher continued. My internal dialog drowned out the lesson: Don't say anything else. Keep my mouth shut. Just sit quietly for the remaining 2 hours of the class, I know I say stupid things when I'm nervous, so zip it... I can't believe he yelled at me! It was a joke, it wasn't aimed at him, why'd he have to yell at me!? That was so RUDE! I'm gonna say something to him, I'm gonna tell him I didn't like that, I didn't DESERVE that! No wonder his wife wants a divorce. What a prick. I glared at him. Then the guy behind me said something about our society raising a bunch of spoiled brats. "I'M OFFENDED!" I blurted out. He started to argue with me and I started wondering what kind of cruel trick was being played on me, as kicked myself for not keeping my mouth shut like I suggested. Before I could get him to see how funny I am (haha) he was arguing with another woman and I knew then that I was in a room full of people I'd love to divorce.
