Thursday, January 30, 2014

Mismatched memory; poor communication

Feeling a little hungover from conflict. Yesterday, B went to our therapist and happened to mention concerns she had about memory lapses or missing memories. The T asked for an example, which led B to reflect on an exchange we had a week or so ago about a long-ago date memory. She had no memory of it; I was adamant (and really should not have been) that she and I had been at this restaurant, etc, but quite some time ago. 

So, to go back to that - she wondered who a local jazz musician was that is part of an upcoming event. I pleasantly said, "Oh, you remember Joe. We saw him at CG. He's the sax player at the University...." Well, she remembered nonesuch and lightly commented that I probably went there with someone else and was mixed up. She put it lightly and without accusation.... but I got pretty insistent - then we both got a bit stubborn about it. But, after a short interaction, she said, "Well, I really don't remember it and I'm just not going to let it bother me..." or words to that effect. 

The next morning, after sleeping upon it, I realized I wasn't certain that I HAD taken B to the restaurant, etc..... But, it seemed like a relatively minor matter and, since it likely did involve my wayback time with A2, I was wary to mention it again on my own volition. 

B said nothing further about being bothered about "another" memory claim I made that she could not recollect. 

But she was very upset yesterday when, after her session, she asked me, "How sure are you that we sent to CG and all that??" whereupon I did finally share my utter lack of surety. 

She quickly escalated in temper and upset and claimed that I had intentionally deceived her by omission. 

The phone conversation was unpleasant and took an hour. The evening was also not pleasant. She nearly left. 

She also was determined to drive, although she'd had two glasses of wine, and I tried not to let her. Bumped into a parked car with her bumper. Not sure that it did any damage. Drove angrily and a bit poorly.  Admitted the car accident from the summer, and then what just happened, pushes her toward strong feelings of incompetence and that I think she's just a fuck-up. 

Fortunately, she did not try to drive to her apartment. 

This morning was peaceful enough, but she apparently has either an IBS breakout or the gastro thing that's going around.

Not surprised the negative interaction coincides with coming down with something. That is a common correlation for her. 

Also heard the oft-said, "just when I was really trusting again" stuff..... 

and more, but I have no need to vent about it further.