Thanks, Julia. You're spot on--it is a power struggle. I actually think he is seeking to connect with me on some emotional level, but the only way he can conceive of doing it is negative--he WANTS me to react to him, to cry. And he knows exactly how to make that happen. But then he does feel bad for his own cruelty, even though it makes him feel better. I saw that clearly today. The difference between his mood when he got here (sad) to when he left (calm and satisfied) actually makes me sick to my stomach.
I think I am done.
My plans for the day were ruined by hours of tears, but I'm still having dinner with my girlfriend tonight. Not a total wash of a day.
It is in the shelter of each other that people live.--Irish proverb
