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. …

planning this big housing initiative. Corporate sponsors. Matching gifts. It’s been intense.”

His voice carried pride, but not clean pride. It had strain threaded through it, the tone of a man who repeated his spouse’s talking points often enough that he had begun to need them himself.

“And you?” I asked. “How are you?”

A pause.

“Busy.”

Another pause.

“Fine.continue reading …