When life hands you lemons add alcohol and stir!

[MichelleLT]

Now is not the time to worry about Gabe. Just focus on you and take it one hour at a time. You can do this.

You can deal with Gabe when other parts of your life aren't stressing you out beyond capacity.

The only 2X4 I have for you is assuming that he will walk if you address this with him. No assumptions. What he does is his choice. And he won't necessarily do what he's done in the past. What you do, and what boundaries you set, are your choices. You have grown, you have chosen to put the time and effort into painful self-introspection and growth. You are capable of handling things in a different way, and he is capable of it (whether he chooses to is up to him).

But that's for another day.

I'm glad your mom is hanging in there. It's so hard to see the ones you love suffer though. (((Mishka)))