I had spoken earlier about being invited over to my sister’s house for a Christmas family gathering. On Christmas Day around 2:30, I had given my oldest sister a call asking her to call my other sister and cancel for me. I was having problems with my right ear that day. And considering how loud my sister and her kids can be, it wasn’t worth going. She said she would call for me and call me right back.

When she called back, she sounded a bit irritated. She went on to explain that when she called no one answered the phone. She knew that my niece was cooking dinner so why didn’t she answer the phone. They have caller ID; she felt she was being ignored. She then proceeded to ramble off a few profanities and then asked me to call. She wanted to see if they would answer the phone when I called. Now I am thinking to myself, if I have to call to cancel then I should’ve just called myself. I did what she asked and called. The phone was answered on the third ring by my niece. I went on to explain why I couldn’t make it and that my oldest sister had just called, why didn’t anyone answer the phone. My niece laughed and relayed the message to her mother. I could hear my sister in the background trying to give her excuse which was she had just walked in the door. Her excuse was very weak and did not explain why my niece didn’t answer the phone. My niece, still on the phone, did not give a reason at all. My sister then went on to say that she would drop me off my present and a plate later. I hung up and called my oldest sister back.

By the third ring, I heard a very dry “Merry Christmas”. For a minute, I thought I had dialled the Grinch’s number. I told her that my niece answered the phone which threw her into a rage and confirmed that she was being ignored. She then proceeds to say how she could stay home and didn’t have to go to my sister’s “nasty ass” house. Just as quick as those words came out her mood flipped into a bit of depression at being ignored on Christmas Day. As much hell as my sisters have put me through at being poz, I should’ve enjoyed this bit of a breakdown but instead I tried to cheer her up. It worked but she still wanted to call my sister herself. She said she would call me back again.

Honestly, I didn’t want to answer the phone when she called back, but I did. Much to my regret, she was pissed once more. They still didn’t answer the phone at my sister’s house. Ugh - Here we go again! ?Can you call over there again and ask her why she is ignoring my fucking calls?? I really wanted to get off the phone with her by now, but instead I just said ok. I called back over to the other sister’s house. This time my son answers the phone. I was surprised that he was there due to him and my sister feuding. I went on to deliver the message and my son delivered it to my sister. No reply, just silence. A bit awkward so I just laughed and told my son “Merry Christmas” and hung up the phone.

Reluctantly, I called my oldest sister back and told her what happened. Once again she was pissed off but this time I had no answers to give her. She kind of brought it on herself. She confirmed she was being ignored the first time. At this point, she mumbled some more profanities and told me that she was going to wait to see if my sister calls. I gladly hung up the phone.

I had a decent Christmas and was glad that I didn’t have to be witness to any drama. Next year if I get an invitation to Christmas dinner, I will just decline.