CNU-My daughter-in-law said Christmas would be easier if I stayed away, and my son did not even raise his eyes to defend me. So I stayed home, alone, exactly as requested. …

until well after midnight, replaying not only the dinner but everything around it.

Linda’s fixation on my house.

Her repeated questions about my will and whether I had updated beneficiaries after Ellen died.

The way she once asked, too casually, whether California law made probate “messy” for only children.

The sudden importance of her charity foundation.continue reading …