Job, thank you for the constant reminders regarding expectations. Not a risk for me in this moment, but something I plan to visit and revisit and revisit again. I take it the gift is a book that relates to some conversation they had, although it sounds as if he was coy about it. I think he is moving a little too fast from what I have seen with others and that makes me greatly suspicious. Though if he is unhappy in his present living situation, he may be trying to expedite for that purpose. Who knows?
Gordie, I forgot to mention that this part of the poem made me think of you and your W, "The gaps I mean, [n]o one has seen them made or heard them made, [b]ut at spring mending-time we find them there." I think there are some gaps appearing in your wall. Maybe it happens more when we stop looking for them and just go about the business of living? Also, is Frost correct when he says that "good fences make good neighbors"? I think boundary maintenance is something that every LBS must learn and relearn throughout this process. I think that will be my biggest takeaway from this unpleasant life experience.
