More divorce-related etiquette weirdness...
As often happens in divorce, STBXH and I have many friends who are self-segregating into separate camps: his friends vs. my friends. This is actually quite fine with me, because quite a few of his friends were not exactly my favorite people. However, some of his friends did have kids/babies similar in age to Babymoss, and because I have primary custody, I was a little sad that she might not see as much of these little playmates. Then again, I consoled myself with the fact that Babymoss is still really little, so it possibly wouldn't matter.
At any rate, STBXH picked up Babymoss last weekend for a long day visit (too young for overnights), and let me know that he was taking her along with a bunch of his friends for a visit to a nearby waterpark. Great, sounded fun. And when he brought her home that evening, pink with sun and all played out, I thought a good time was had by all.
Not quite.
I received a phone call this morning at work from one of his friends in the waterpark group. It seems that STBXH came along on the trip with no money, and bullied everyone else into paying for him and Babymoss' entry fees, rental equipment, refreshments, and food. Friend lamented that this was quite an expense for which he and the others weren't prepared. I said, "Sounds like it."
Friend then asked me for reimbursement.
I took a deep breath, remembered this board, and said, "No." I had to listen to a bunch of reasons why I was supposed to, and while I didn't JADE, I did ask him a few questions that were probably not e-hell approved, like, "Did you tell STBXH all of this while paying for him?" and "Why would I pay you for something I didn't attend?" Friend actually told me that I had to at the very least pay him the cost of Babymoss' attendance, but I refused that, too.
Of course, the end of the phone call was not particularly civil, what with Friend snarling that he now understood why my STBXH who is such a great guy is divorcing me. I just said that I was sorry he felt that way, please don't ever call me again, thanks and goodbye.
I'm not surprised that STBXH did this, because he did it all the time while we were married and it's one of the reasons for the divorce. I'm just stunned at the request.
However, is he right and do I owe him the cost of Babymoss' attendance? A big part of me says no out of spite: so many people go on and on about STBXH's "great guy-ness" when it was me funding of most of his great guy-driven generosity (buying a zillion rounds, picking up big dinner tabs, etc.), and I want them to finally get burned like I was. Then again, I also want to to do what's right, but the amount Friend quoted me is pretty steep. I myself haven't taken Babymoss to the waterpark because I couldn't afford it, but am I supposed to reimburse Friend for her trip anyway?
