She is warm, lovable, caring, affectionate, devoted. With others.
With her immediate family, she isn’t merely cold, or hard, or demanding. Let’s not get the wrong idea. She is malicious, tyrannical, threatening, manipulative, sadistic.
In a sketch by the comedy trio Les Inconnus, one of them competes on a game show. His response to every question is “Stéphanie of Monaco.” For those who grew up with a mother like mine, the answer is just as obvious.
Why are you an alcoholic?
Why do you suffer from anxiety?
Why do you have an eating disorder?
Why do you have trouble trusting people and letting go?
Why do you take antidepressants even though, technically, you’re A-OK—health, relationships, finances, work, home—and despite years of therapy?
The answer in this game is always Stéph— Oh wait, no it isn’t.
It’s Mom.
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