expat story
It’s last summer and Dad and I are — much to my chagrin — discussing politics. We’re sitting on the bench in his backyard, admiring the gorgeous old tree he plans to murder. I’m dancing the dance that must be danced in order to have this delicate conversation. I manage to find something we agree on, which is that, in general, the schools in New York City suck.
I say, “You know what? There are so many reasons why I’m an expat right now, but that’s definitely at the top of the list”.
“Expat?”
“Yeah, an expat. Expatriate. You know. I’m an expatriate.”
Dad contemplates the mouth of his beer can as if it were his belly button. He nods slowly, deliberately, as if digesting something. With obvious emotion in his voice, he whispers, “I know honey, I know”. He’s not looking at me and his mouth is all splinched up like he’s tasting lemon.
WTF?
Suddenly, I get it, and I don’t know whether to laugh or scream. I keep my voice as calm as possible.
“Dad. I don’t mean ex-patriot, like a former patriot, like someone who used to love her country but doesn’t anymore. I mean expatriate, like someone who lives abroad!”
Oh.
Posted on September 4th, 2008 under Grenada • Tags: family, Grenada, living abroad, LOL, memoir, random. • 
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September 5th, 2008 at 10:11 am
This is hilarious. Great story.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
lol, its one of those british words isnt it. I hear it thrown around the caribbean all the time but dont think i’ve ever once heard it uttered in north america
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I am an expat too and this made me laugh but even as an expat I am closer to feeling like your father than you. I do understand your feelings though as you can never be an ex patriot. You are or you are not. Can’t have ex attached to it. Been in this country a long long time but I am still a patriot of my other one, the one where I grew up.
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