"That Girl" Brings Out the Jellyfish In Me

That girl rubs you the wrong way. And, you, for some reason, get on her last nerve. The two of you have never exchanged blows or pulled hair or tricks on one another, but there's always an undercurrent of tension when you meet, and then, usually, an underhanded sting or two.  On the surface, you're kindred spirits, but you both know that underneath your faux smiles is an absolute searing repugnance for each other.

In my case, that girl is Susie (name changed to protect her identity). For absolutely no clearly identifiable reason, we clash. Maybe we started on the wrong foot? Or maybe one is jealous of the other?  She started it! (our pseudo feud) I want to yell out, whenever we meet.

Seeing Susie the other day, it is all I can do to resist saying a jellyfish comment or two, stirring in my head.  She is beaming about her engagement.

Jellyfish comment 1: "Oh, he didn't get you a diamond?"  (sting)

Jellyfish comment 2: "I thought he was gay." (sting) And he was, last year. But that's another story.

Instead, I give her a tight lipped congratulations: "I'm happy for you." She finally found a man who could put up with her. (sting)

I don't know why she brings out that mean girl side of me. But my hope is to heal that part of me and keep sharing my beautiful heart.

Becoming a housewife (getting married and feeling all mature), I thought I'd be done with all that high school into college "girl drama," but clearly, it continues for the rest of our lives. There are cool moms, cliques of crafty domestic chicks, and even the blogging superstar wives.  Some of us are part of the "in" crowd and others pushed to the outskirts.  Why do we trap ourselves in that mentality?