Josette

I leave chez Josette in two weeks. So in looking back, I will honestly say that this year has been difficult with her. From the beginning I wanted things to work. I wanted to please her, I wanted her to open up to me, I wanted to truly become part of the family. You would think after 9 months that would happen. But no. Even this past month has been difficult – if I come home late at night and go up the stairs, the light sleeper will wake up and yell at me the next morning (remember, her house is old and the stairs creak!) I once threw out half an apple, and when I came downstairs later, it was on the counter. She proceeded to tell me that I do not think and I waste food. She’s told me I’m dim, I’ve been raised poorly, I’ve gained weight, I have a bad temper. She’s yelled at me for snacking, for leaving my shoes in the hallway, for not keeping my room clean, for leaving the lights on. Perhaps I wanted to prove to myself from the beginning that I could do it – that I could succeed living with a woman who was so foul, so hard to manage, so cold. There have been times when it’s been better, when I’ve felt more at ease. And yet when I look back, things could have been different if I changed houses. I could have found a family who didn’t interrupt me when I spoke, cared about what I was saying, and encouraged me with my French instead of commenting that I’ve gotten worse (?!?!?). I could have wanted to come home and chat, I could have gone on trips with them. I don’t regret my decision, but I do wish that I didn’t have to try so hard with my living situation.

chez Josette = Josette's house