So, the BIG DAY (the ex’s wedding is this Saturday).  The kids had to go to be fitted today for their tuxes (they look adorable).  Mark, the ex, couldn’t take them because apparently the tailor doesn’t have the patience for small children (which translates into:  Mark couldn’t handle them). Anyway, I took the kids and guess who I ran into at the tailor’s?  The fiancée.

Her name is Sandra.  She’s actually very nice and very sweet.  Now, with that said, it doesn’t mean she is going to be my new best friend.  Well, she has other plans.  So, as I was sitting there watching my kids get fitted, Sandra, the ex’s fiancée, walked in.  The poor tailor didn’t know what to do.  I could see him squirming.  (I live in a small town and everyone knows everything.)

She immediately recognized me.  We had never met before but I have seen her in photos and I am assuming she has seen me in some too.  It was pretty weird for me but I think it was stranger for her.

“Uh, uhmmm you’re SuYin, uhm, right?”

“Yes, I am.  You must be Sandra.  I recognize you from the photos the kids have shown me.”

“Yes. Uhmmm, hi, uhmmm, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise.” 

“Kids, look who’s here.  It’s Sandra.”  Kids waved to her and she blew kisses to them.

“So Mark couldn’t bring the kids?”

“No, he said the tailor had no patience.”  (Tailor rolled his eyes)

“Oh, the kids are great.  You just have to know how to talk to them right.” (Trying to score points???)

“Yes, I was worried we waited so long.  Uhmmm, listen, SuYin, I really would like to talk to you.  Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee?”

“I can’t.  I promised them we would go to the park.  It’s such a beautiful day for a change.”

Long pause.  I ask her to move to the front of the store away from the tailor (who loves to gossip).  

“Listen, Sandra, I am not really sure what you want to talk to me about or why you want to sit for a cup of coffee with me.  But I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Uhmmm, well, uhmmm, I just thought that since, you know, you and Mark were together and now I am going to be his new wife, well, that, you know, we could talk.”

WHATTTT????

“Talk about what, exactly?”

“Well, uhmmm, I don’t know, I thought that, you know, we have some things in common now.”

“OK, listen, we really don’t have anything in common except for my kids and I think you’re doing a great job with them.  They seem to like you very much and I am sure as time goes on, they will eventually love you very much.”

“Well, yeah… uhmmm, I love them too, you know.  I mean I love Mark and they’re his kids and you know… I love everything about him.”

“That’s great.  Then it’s all settled.  You love my kids.  I love my kids.  That’s what we have in common.”

“Listen, SuYin, uhmmm I just don’t want you to think that I’m coming, uhmmm, between you and Mark because…” huh???

I CUT HER OFF

“Coming between Mark and me would imply that there was something between Mark and me.  Sandra, maybe Mark hasn’t told you this but I really can’t stand him.  Actually, the only reason I tolerate him is because he is the father of the kids and even then our relationship is non-existing.”

“SuYin, I was hoping that uhmmm maybe all of us could uhmmm be friends.  I mean we have kids and uhmm… you know with birthdays, holidays, etc. it might be a good idea for…”

I CUT HER OFF AGAIN

“Sandra, maybe you and Mark need to sit and talk.  He knows the deal with birthdays, holidays, etc. and maybe he needs to explain that to you (Mark and I have separate birthday parties for the kids).  Like I said, I don’t have a problem with you being in the kids’ lives but I am not sure we can all be friends because, like I said, I can’t stand Mark.

And really, Mark and I haven’t been friends since we divorced so why would I want to start now?  If you’ll excuse me I have to check on the kids.”  I walked away.

When I came back, she was gone.