Ok. So SD17 thought she had the upper hand once again. And she did-for the moment.

On our way out of town, taking her shopping, she and I went into the restroom. I mentioned-for those of you who haven't read my post-that the only way I knew it was her in there was the matchy shoes (the ones that match H's). Then told her my friends laughed at them wearing matching shoes. So, we get in the pickup-she's in the backseat (bet that bothers her too-used to be her always in the front with Dad, SD14 in the back). Tells H my friends laughed about the shoes, her friends think its cool. H goes off on me for telling my friends. SD17 is smirking in the backseat-thinks she got off getting me in trouble. I drop it.

That was Friday. Sat. I studied. H had SD14 here. Didn't say much, do much with either of them. Sunday, SD14 still here. I study. Don't say much to either of them again. Finally, H asks me whats wrong? I look mad. I look sad. I wouldn't say anything to him about it. Until later Sunday afternoon. By now, I am almost to tears (thinking of the years ahead, with SD17 and her snottiness, H playing into it and daring to talk to me like I'm a child, and her feeding off of it). So I've got tears in my eyes, and just keep studying. H finally comes into the computer room, says-what is wrong? why are you so sad?

And I told him. I told him how I felt-how he thought it fine that SD17 told her friends about the damned shoes, so why would he be mad because I told mine (I know the answer, actually. He knows what he did was just wierd, and what people will think of that kind of shit).

But mostly I told him how she was smirking. He of course said she's not like that. I said yes, she is. And she hates me. And don't you ever yell at me in front of her again. He actually promised not to ever do that to me again....but still claimed she's "not like that".

Soooo, he took SD14 back to her bm's. And took some brisket he'd made, because SD17 wanted some.

Sd14 calls later, just to talk. He asked her how she liked the brisket. Seems she didn't get any. When she asked for some, SD17 told her "Dad gave it to ME!"...

So another clear view to H of how SD17 really, really is. He was pissed.

I made sure I praised SD14, told her how much I loved her. Made sure H knows what a great kid I think she is.

I'm rambling. I just feel good because I think maybe, just maybe, there's a point coming where H will no longer be able to lie, even to himself, about what SD17 really, really is.