I don't understand hateful behavior.....and I vow to never hate anyone as much as he must hate me, to be happy at the prospect of me suffering a major car malfunction. 

I have been under tremendous stress, well, since becoming a mother. But in the last few months, it feels like it never rains, but it pours. My kiddo has a gnarly cold, which translates to massive barf, bloody noses, and restless nights.  My nanny family has been really sick off and on with probably the same cold. My home's new water pressure pump started leaking. I've dumped about $3,500 into my car in less than a year. That's more than the car is worth, and I'm done throwing money at it. I am extremely blessed by my Fairy Godmother, who is buying me a new car. Yes. That is happening. I just have to find The One. CRAZY!! There's no way I can do it for myself. It's health insurance, OR a car payment....not both.  Last week, I had a buyer for my current car. I took it in for an oil change, and to have the brake fluid refilled. The dealership tried to jilt me out of $1,700 worth of work, and told me the car was unsafe to drive. WHAT?! They insisted that it needed new brakes, front AND back, and a new master cylinder. Uh, NO. I called my mechanic, and he got it out of lockdown for me. It needed a new rear caliper and new rear brake pads ONLY. Front brakes were at 50%. So it cost me $400, but she's up and running again. This whole thing has stressed me OUT. 

FUCK YOU, KLEIN HONDA IN EVERETT WASHINGTON!!!! 

*ahem*

Anyway. I've been driving my 'work' vehicle for a week, while my car is in the shop. My work rig is ridiculously beautiful, and my employers spoil me rotten letting me use it when my car is throwing a hissy fit. It's a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. Glorious. So my ex husband has seen me driving it for a week. 

Today, my son had early release from school. And as per usual, his father didn't make adjustments to his work schedule to accommodate an earlier pickup. That would be "extra" time with his son, and he doesn't do that. 

I was herding my boy, and my nanny charge outside. My boy to his father's truck, and my nanny charge into the Escalade so I could take her to KungFu. My ex approached me to ask why I was driving the Escalade. 

Him (barely repressing a smirk) "So...why are you driving that so much? Did your car die?"

Me "I'm on kid duty...?"

Him "Oh. I thought your car had finally croaked and died." Except now, he was full on SMILING at the prospect of me being without a car. This is not the first time he's found joy in my broken whatevers. When my house water pump died last summer, he thought that was HILARIOUS. 

Let's pause and think about that for a minute....what if my car died while I had our son with me? Which? HIGHLY LIKELY, considering that I have him 90% of the time!! Why would he find something to smile about in that?! If my expenses take a big increase because I need a new car, then SO WILL HIS when we review child support!!  His current wife has a brand new SUV, and he has been driving the same old truck for 13 years. Would it be funny if she and her kids were stranded without a car? NO! That's probably why she has a brand new car! Do I want my ex stuck on the side of the road somewhere, potentially with our son?! HELL NO! 

In spite of my incredulousness, I was able to immediately thank The Universe for giving me yet another glaring example of how I'm better off now. While I'm pissed at his nastiness, I'm no longer surprised. Honestly, I feel more sorry for him now, than ever before. He must be miserable, to continue to be so cruel. I imagine that upholding that glittery façade of 'never been happier' must be exhausting. Happy people don't find joy in other people's misfortune.