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. …

before property, inheritance, or future access were jeopardized.

“Dad,” he said, trying for casual and landing on tired. “Just checking in.”

“I’m here.”

A brittle chuckle.

“Yeah. Listen… about yesterday. Linda was stressed.”

There it was. The oldest refuge of weak men standing next to strong-willed women: not agreement, exactly, just strategic explanation.continue reading …