A calmer week ahead?

I have posts semi-prepared for later in the week, but this will be just a short update;  I'm not in the mood for anything more involved.

I doubt that anything will top the drama of last week!  This week is shaping up to be much calmer, thank goodness.    After being on the receiving end of much bitterness and anger, we had our first calm, polite telephone conversation in a long time during which each of us expressed concern for the other.   Our phone conversations always go better than our face-to-face meetings, which can be very difficult.  Emotions are very raw and will be so for months to come.  


 I will vacate my house for two evenings this week, so my wife can spend time with the kids by herself.  I will spend those evenings at my parents' house, which for the first time in decades, I actually enjoy.  My parents are treating me with great concern and kindness; not the usual nagging and criticism.  At their house, I enjoy cable TV, a well stocked liquor cabinet and being waited on hand and foot..... all things which do not exist at my house!

I also offered her extra time at my house for subsequent days each week (but with me still there, with each of us staying a separate area of the house.)  She thanked me but declined for now. 

We discussed how the kids are reacting to all this;  they seem fine, but we're not sure.  My son seems completely unaffected.  My daughter seems a bit sad but is being very brave about not burdening us with her concerns.  I was throwing up this morning (not sick, just my stomach twisted in knots due to stress) and my daughter came in to help, bringing juice and water for me.  I teared up at that after she left;  it seems that our roles are reversed.

I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support and advice, either through blog comments, private e-mails and even just by viewing the blog as a lurker.   It helps to know that I'm not alone....