This was the first year in a long time that I finally got to do my own taxes. This is a big deal for me because Lyndsey would always insist on doing every family member's taxes herself. I had to argue with her just to WATCH her do MY taxes. Oh, and even then, she say 'okay', but when we got to sitting down, she'd tried to shoo me out of the room. And then I'd once again argue that, as an adult, I NEED to learn how to do this.

I remember the one and only time I got to do my own taxes.

It was one of my attempts of escaping that life. I got a job, skipped meals, saved up what I could, and moved out to my own little place. Tax season came around and she texted me for a time when SHE would come over to do them.

I lied to her and told her my government slips didn't come in yet.

We got off the phone, I got out my slips from the mail, and I filed them online.

Of course, I told her and she got all pissy. That's when I told her how rediculous it is that I need to fight with her just to watch her do MY taxes, let alone learn how to do them, and that I felt like I HAD to lie to her because this was the only way I actually learned how to do this very necessary adult skill.

I remember her response was basically "If you get audited, that's not my fault~."

Guess who didn't get fucking audited? : D

Also, extra note, Lyndsay's complained about doing her 1st Ex's taxes and doing things for me when I've never asked her. In fact, this is normal for her. She does the Thing and then turns around and complains about doing the Thing (or how I 'wanted' or 'made' her do the Thing), even after me or someone else tells her not to. She creates her own resentments!

Anyway, I had to eventually move back into the family home because because I couldn't get a stupid permanent job where I tried to live. When we had our big talks, I brought this up and we promised that she would stop trying to push me out and actually include me. We did it together one year, but then afterwards, she'd insist that she and ONLY she did it. Even when I spoke up to correct her, she'd act like she never heard me.

And the next year? She didn't even bother including me. I caught her in the middle of doing my taxes. She started droning on with excuses. I just walked away after a few minutes. I still had that bad habit of losing my words when I get too emotional. Another reason why I'm starting to really enjoy this little project. I get to find my words and claim them without her cherry-picking what I say to deflect or excuse herself.

This year, I did my taxes as early as possible and on a different software. The one year I did my taxes with her, I checked my account a few months later and discovered that my information gone. I double-checked to make sure that we filed my taxes on my account, so I was freaking out. She came along and when revealed to me that oh, SHE had my information. I confronted her and ask how my info disappeared from my account and 'suddenly' wound up in hers. She told me that she didn't know and quickly walked away. I never believed her for one second.

If there's one thing to enjoy this year, it's not just the fact that I got to do my own taxes, it's the fact that she called me and ACTUALLY asked for permission to do my taxes! Imagine that!

Well, no, she didn't call me. I told her that I'm blocking her number on my phone and did so. Another family member called me and asked me for her. Since I didn't want to hurl all THIS at him, I just gave a firm No and that I already filed them myself. I even mentioned that she didn't have all the slips so she couldn't really even file my taxes this year. I don't know if he told her everything I said, but it was a small victory for me to finally be able to say no to her and she couldn't do her deceitful say-"Okay"-and-go-behind-my-back bullshit. Oh, and turn around and call me an Adultchild while continuing to do this - while being angry at something else.

I wanted to do some kinda witty one liner like I did for the first chapter, but I got nothing. I just feel happy and pumped that I got all of this out of my head to help prepare for that final Get Out of My Life letter. Gonna go celebrate with some supper and cake.