Honestly, for a lot of it, yeah. I thought there was going to be a bounceback.

Part of the reason I’ve stuck around and been so supportive is that when I was laid off in the teeth of the pandemic, she was incredibly supportive.

Also, she was the one who finally pushed me to take my mental health seriously and get over the idiotic stigma I had about therapy. And also helped me realize that I was being a bit fucking stupid with my financial planning, and to take that seriously as well.

Basically, one of the primary reasons I’ve stuck around so long is because she’s materially changed my life in a lot of positive ways, despite the issues. But I’ve been tryin to do the same for her for the last couple years a lot more pointedly, and it’s so goddamn exhausting to have it all fall flat when the turn tables.