Let no tear be shed...

Just got back from the visitation for my grandfather (for those that don't know, as I originally didn't - the visitation is the part before the funeral, where the casket/urn is out, and all the flowers are there, and everyone comes and says how sorry they are for your loss).

Speaking of which - if I get a single "I'm sorry" in any way, shape or form about this post, I will delete it. I don't feel any grief for his death. I have not cried, nor do I feel the need to. And I do not want empty condolences. Thank you.

Anyway. My dad showed up - which was rather surprising, because as far as I knew, no one had told him about it (as it turns out, my stepmother read about it in the obituaries. Seems she had a bit of a shock - my stepfather and grandfather have the same name. She realized who it was when she read that Grandpa was succeeded (seceeded?) by his two sons, daughter, and wife (Russ, Kent, Cheryl, and Lorraine).)

So he came. I was surprised. Also found out something interesting that I never knew before - several things, actually. Apparently, my Uncle Aldo (who is really my first cousin once removed) was having an affair. I thought it was rather strange - he never seemed the type. I mentioned this to my mother, and she was like, "oh, well, the Picchetti men..." and almost didn't go on. (I made her.) Turns out, my Uncle Elio had an affair when he was married to his first wife, shortly after my cousin Michael was born, and my grandparents drew the drapes and "mourned" for him - wouldn't even let him into the house - until he went back to her. Then, after Matthew was born, they both had affairs for a while until they finally got divorced. (Footnote: my Aunt Wendy - Elio's first wife - is invited to Lory - my cousin's - graduation. Apparently Aunt Sybil - the new wife - is peeved about this. Michelle - Aldo's wife - tried to stir up some controversy by asking Terry if she knew whether my mom was invited. She did (and she is). Ha. Foiled.) Apparently, my Aunt Wendy also made a rather ominous comment to my mother when she and my father were getting divorced: "If Alessandra had been a boy, they would be making you stay together." How... I can't think of a good word. Evil, I suppose? But according to my mother, Nonna invited her over to tea one day, and they had a conversation that ran something like this.
"So, are we going to talk about this?"
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Well... is there nothing I can do to change your minds?"
"No, I don't think so."
And it was kind of accepted from there. (End Footnote A.)
(Footnote B: I also discovered how old my mother was when she lost her virginity. (Skip this if you don't want to know/don't care.) She was 25, and it was her wedding night. (We were talking about how I wasn't planning on getting married.) She asked me how old I was when I had - I rolled my eyes at her. (She actually waited for an answer! I finally told her I hadn't. Ye gods, woman, what do you take me for? ...okay, horny, teenaged, yes, shhh.) She made some comment about how she supposed I really shouldn't wait for that (my wedding day) - as I'm not getting married - but that she hoped I'd be careful. No, Mom, I won't get "swept away in the throes of passion", I promise... (her words)).

Back to the visitation. Mom was introducing my dad to my grandmother's sister, and she referred to him as "my ex-husband". Bad move. I now see why Dolores - and that entire side of the family - are considered the "black sheep". She called Daddy "Ex" like it was his name, and when Mom mentioned that I look like Daddy, she said: "Well, she's pretty. And you are definitely not pretty." Just her tone... it riled me. And she was going on about how she's always said I should be a model. (This is bull. She's met me all of twice.)

Anyway. I think I'm done ranting now, mostly. G'night.