Not Being That Again

Good news — I'm about to work two jobs.

Bad news — I'm slightly annoyed today and don't wish to talk about what happened during the time skip.

My stepfather, the enabler, decided to be less than subtle about his manipulation tactics today. He was itching to cause a fuss because I don't make it easy — I keep to myself. He knows I've never asked him for anything or used his charger in all nine months. Not once. Everything I've lost this year I went and replaced myself. If I didn't have the money I waited until I did. That went for everything. He's never seen me touch his wife's charger either.

But instead of choosing the obvious conclusion, he demanded over text that I return his charger. Not even a "did you happen to see it." Just a demand. As if I would know — it's not mine, I don't touch what isn't mine, and I prefer it that way.

When I texted back "Why would I have it?" he suddenly wanted to think before making assumptions. He found it under his bed shortly after. Which would imply I'd have had to be in their room. Then came the backtrack — he wasn't accusing me of anything, he was just asking. As soon as he couldn't pin it on me, the tone shifted entirely. Then he tried to soften it further by saying he didn't mind if I used his charger. That I could.

He is a grown man. I will not be pacified into the idea that he didn't know what he was doing. He must really think I'm an idiot. But that's fine — I couldn't care less what he thinks. The moment I take that offer is the moment I'm on the hook for a lot more than a charger. I barely stood a chance without having done anything — imagine what happens once I've given them something real to work with. That's how being the scapegoat starts. I won't be that again.

This is the same man who deliberately tried to send me back to my abusive aunt and uncle. For context — my uncle tried to choke me to death once. He didn't let go when I begged. My aunt had to pull him off. I later found out she'd had to put a gun to his head during an argument because of how far gone he was and how often he hit her.

I have no interest in using that man's charger. Ever.

His manipulation is exactly why I'll never get close to him or ever care about him. He is a disgusting man. I would never propose that on anyone — but ever since he said what he said, if I had the choice, I'd send him somewhere far worse. Along with his wife, who agreed with him. Because she sees me as competition. Something I found out during the time skip. Shocking even to me.

This is why I'll never trust any member of my family when they say "if we didn't love you, you wouldn't be under my roof." A roof is a roof. Not proof of love or even like. I'm living in a residence. I refuse to live under a spell.

I don't care for the love of awful people. I never once did in my entire nine months here. All I care about is earning my money and saving for what I actually want. It's always been that way. His wife is out of her mind for assuming I want anything to do with either of them beyond what I have to. I was going to keep that text message to myself. But no. I'm not. I don't care to protect people who were itching to send me back to a felon that almost killed me just last year in June.