I woke up before my alarm this morning, laying in bed as long as I could stand it, not ready to greet the cold that had crept into the RV overnight (or face the election results).
By four-forty, my restlessness had gotten to me, and I began to shuffle around, looking for my fuzzy, yellow, unicorn bathrobe. Wrapping myself in its soft folds, I tightly pulled the belt on my robe around my waist and slipped my bare feet into my well-worn, faux-fur-lined, rose-gold glitter house slippers, stumbling around in the dark.
When I went to sleep last night, the tyrannical orange was already in the lead, so I went to bed, knowing that I would likely be waking to bad news.
But first… Coffee (and heat)!
I woke to a cold, dark home—48 Fahrenheit (8.88C) outside (and not much warmer inside since our RV is poorly insulated).
Dreading checking the election results, I first tended to my need for heat and coffee, firing up the generator and then turning on a space heater and my electric kettle.
Five minutes (or less) until coffee time. In anticipation, I move the space heater into the kitchen (closer to me) and start prepping my spill-proof (in theory) coffee mug, measuring perfect portions of instant coffee and Ovleteen out with a recycled plastic spoon.
Still avoiding checking the news, I open Prime Video on my iPad and re-start the documentary series I’d been watching before bed about brainwashing (comparing the similarities between cult membership, catholic church priesthood, basic training in the military, and abusive relationships).
Somehow, this (a documentary about coercive control) seems less heavy than the reality I feared was waiting for me (just a few clicks away within the same streaming app).
As the documentary continued to play, talking about how influential leaders use hate and fear-mongering (against group outsiders) to coerce and manipulate their followers, I couldn’t help but think about how both political parties use these (fear and smear) tactics to drive voters.
I was also reminded of school sports, spirit days, and rivalries, and I couldn’t help but think about how this “us VS them” mindset is something we’re indoctrinated into from a young age.
When I’m waiting for the water to boil for my coffee, the first few minutes of the morning always seem long, but eventually, I’ve got my coffee in hand and ready to sit and sip for a moment.
As I settle down at the table behind the documentary on my iPad, I hear a noise outside, and the house door to the RV opens.
David, who just got back from an evening at his other partner’s house (we’re polyamorous and currently living on David’s partner’s property), makes his way inside.
“I’m sorry,” David says.
“About what?” I ask before realizing David must be talking about the election results. “Did he win? I haven’t looked yet,” I confess. “He was ahead when I went to bed last night, so I had a feeling it would go that way.”
David nods.
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And now youre deleted. Go woke, go broke. We held it together while your leader had his turn. Now its time to fix things.
I feel your pain…