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. …

difficult than opening a file: I sat in silence and admitted that some part of me already knew where this might lead.

By late afternoon, Vincent called.

The timing was predictable enough to make me almost admire Linda’s instincts. She had likely decided she had overplayed Thanksgiving and needed her husband to restore the appearance of family equilibrium continue reading …