I just came back from visiting my parents over a long weekend and I’m reminded once more why I love my family but choose to live far enough away that visiting involves an airline ticket or hours of driving.
On day 1, my dad asks me if he can borrow my (rental) car to go run an errand. I know he likes trying new cars, so it’s fine with me. He goes to put on his coat while I get the keys. We meet in the entry way where he’s standing ready to leave, wearing a black baseball cap embroidered in gold letters that says, “TRUMP”. He has never supported republican agendas, let alone someone like Trump. But there he is wearing that stupid hat and a shit eating grin. I tell him he’s going to get himself punched in the face if he wears that outside. At the very least the neighbours will stop speaking to him. But he thinks it’s the funniest thing in the world and walks out of the house.
Day 2, we’re all in the car heading out for dinner. We’re making small talk when my dad says, “I was reading that the moon is artificial and hollow inside because it was built by aliens who were spying on earth. NASA has been keeping it a secret since the last Apollo flight that landed on the moon.” I ask him where he “read” this and who wrote it. He says he saw it on YouTube and that I should watch it, “…Because it’s true”. Now, my dad has been an engineer his whole life until he retired. He is the most logical and no nonsense person I’ve ever known. I’ve modeled much of my life on his methodical approach to evaluating problems and finding solutions. So I just about drove into a parked car when he so matter-of-factly dropped that hollow moon theory on me.
I know he’s getting on in years. But I have to believe he’s trolling me. Right?