Last night's dinner went okay in terms of the boyfriend meeting the dad. But if it wasn't for Mr. Nick, I probably would have declined the dinner in the first place. I will avoid any opportunity being alone with my dad again.

He gave me a really hard time when I appeared to have forgotten that he gave me some money for the down payment of my condo. "No wonder your mother thinks I don't give you money." And I just hate his passive-aggressive tone...the way he gets when he is trying to prove a point that he is king. He couldn't just let it go. He had to go and describe the conversation we had when he gave me the cheque, and then he repeatedly told me to go look up my bank records. And that he would dig up his bank records. And then he tried to recalculate how much my place cost, how much my down payment must have been, and what my mortgage was. I bought my place two years ago.

This conversation was in Chinese and in front of Mr. Nick. I was getting mad and I felt the inklings of heartburn (I seem to get instant heartburn when I have stressful conversations with my dad). I was getting angry, so I couldn't look at him. I wasn't sure if I was going to cry or if I was going to rip him a new one or just get up and leave the restaurant. I lost my appetite.

Anyhow, I'm soooo glad my dad can remember all these details but can't even bother to call me on my birthday.

And I am glad his "friend" wasn't at the dinner. I would have been even less pleased. He said she wanted to come for the food, but he didn't want her at this dinner. Good. She is nobody to me even if I am glad he has somebody to keep him in okay spirits with his depression and all.  Call me petty, but she won't be anyone to me unless I get a formal introduction.

The restaurant sucked, too. I thought we were going out for my birthday dinner instead of a regular dinner. I didn't get to choose most of what we ordered. I didn't get to choose the restaurant. I guess that is just typical of life with dad. He is king.