DnJ: that was the most truth darts I ever gave him and they included things going back into the marriage, including that the withholding was a severe form of emotional abuse. He said some rotten things to me that were either lies or pretty lame, I think in an effort to lower me in some way. I took it for the usual tit-for-tat.
Peace: this time he came and when he sat down I could see and feel the armor he erected for our talk. I think waiving the pic of OW2 in my face was a way to taunt me. I think I handled that part as well as I could. As we talked, the armor came down. I think when he said he hates talking to me because I filibuster him, he meant that I always get my way, like he is a powerless victim. I think he cries because at the end he can let his guard down. The battle he prepared for is over. I think after so long, he does have feelings for me and I think in that moment they come out a bit. I imagine he isn't happy that he does it and does not like me seeing his vulnerability. He did telling me during the talk that I would never have anything to worry about and he would always take care of me.
Job: I was just very surprised that he went from the whole length of our marriage being awful, to now only the last 10 years. Almost as though he admitted to almost 20 good years. Very, very strange. I hope you are right about his parents. I think his "taking care of them" will amount to the doctor making a phone call once a month and seeing them once or twice a year. I do find it very sad that as he is again telling me he wants to dismiss, he repeated over and over how much he wants it to be done. Doesn't want me to think he might not want to go through with it. I had a good feeling I'd be able to get the money. At one point I thought about asking for all of it, but then I didn't want to go too far. I did tell S that he generously agreed to pay for part of the truck and asked S to thank him for it, which S did.
Gordie: he is definitely wanting to get closer to the kids. I hope that it is legitimate and not just to satisfy OW2 or his family. He repeated over and over again that he wanted 3 things from me pertaining to the kids. I told him that I was not making any promises and that he did the damage and needed to put in the effort. He does seem to be trying with S, but his efforts usually don't last long. It will be interesting to see if I get any reports from D, but even if she does hear from him, she will probably not tell me. She just doesn't care and doesn't like to talk about him period.
S texted me from school to say that the wound was leaking blood. I contacted Dr. OD and asked if I should take him to the doctor or keep an eye on it. They used glue to seal the wound, so I wasn't sure if something leaking out was a good thing or bad. He said to keep an eye on it and take him to the PCP if necessary. It was the quickest he ever got back to me (and there have been a few other health issues over the last few years). It was definitely not snotty, which he normally is. I thanked him for the response and said I'd keep an eye on it. I wish we could have this kind of normal, civil, exchange on a regular basis, but it depends on which personality he is turning toward me and how well things are going in his life.
I'm not holding my breath on anything here. Maybe he will dismiss, maybe he won't. Maybe he'll come next week to discuss resolution, maybe he won't.
