showing_up tender_square he says he doesn’t really understand why this is happening. well, yes, he gets part of it, but not all. of course, me being closer to my dad when things aren’t going to improve with his condition is important. and being able to help my mom also makes sense. but he doesn’t see how my hometown is “better” or how i can live a creative life there. he clarifies that it’s not for me to defend; he’s just expressing the questions that he lives with, the fear he has as the change approaches. he doesn’t mention how our relationship factors into my leave-taking. i tell him i feel defensive while we idle at the stoplight. that i never said my hometown was going to be better and this statement comes as a surprise to him. i’m not concerned about creativity, i tell him, because i write wherever i am and have made that commitment for a year; it doesn’t matter what life has thrown at me, i’ve shown up. 221103 what's it to you? who go blather from