Going Straight, Married, With Children. Grandma Wins Again.

The day I turned thirty my grandmother sat me down and told me I was past the time to settle down, with children and a husband to take care of. I responded as usual, I didn't answer or acknowledge her unwanted advice.

A week later I got a registered letter. From my grandmother's attorney, a notification that I was being disinherited and 'cut off' from any further support. I had not demonstrated maturity, was unmarried, childless, and she wasn't going to continue to underwrite my behavior.

I called her lawyer, he knows me, bailed me out of jail. No substance abuse or alcohol, married, settled, pregnant, attending church regularly, and she might relent. Get my act together and he would talk to her, no promises.

The monthly 'distribution' didn't come. I got evicted, lived with a friend, asked to find another arrangement. Moved to live with my mother, she was going through another intervention, she has 'alcohol' problems. And a boyfriend. Got a job, front desk receptionist for a podiatrist friend of hers.

I'm in rehab, no pot, alcohol, sex. I'm in a church program, religious program, Christ as my crutch, it's not working. I do believe in Christ, but 'my church' never supported my deviance. This church says it's 'gay' friendly, but it's really about reorienting you.

I can't support myself really. I'll get married, I'll get pregnant, I'll get my act together. I'll stay in church, I already gave up alcohol and pot, and the crowd that goes with it. I can't give up my inheritance. I'll never be 'straight', not really. But my grandmother wins this one.

The lawyer put it this way, selling out is about the money, if there is no money you can give the finger, but when the money is there can you walk away from it?

The simple answer is no. Not for that amount of money.