And so it continues. OD spent a total of 9 hours with S today. I believe that is more time than all of 2018 (or at least very close to it). He let S drive his new truck. They ran an errand for said truck and then S drove into the mountains (an hour or more each way) to a skiing venue. When they arrived, they messed around a bit and left early because there was no one there (why that would matter I have no idea).

S then drove back to our area and they parked at a shopping center at the movieplex we go to. They walked around for a bit, had food and went to a movie. Not sure what else they did. I didn't ask any questions, this is just the stuff that S revealed. I don't like to interrogate him (and there is no need since he dribbles out over the ensuing days what happened anyway).

Some big developments for OD:

1. He usually plays his political podcasts or stoic audiobooks anywhere you go with him. This time he had purchased a book on mythology (which he knows S loves) and actually played it from the beginning. For S's birthday trip two years ago (which involved a lot of driving) OD played a stoic book from the place in the middle of it where he was in the book. I see this as a huge leap forward in empathy from OD.

2. He did not criticize S's truck and actually said complementary things about it (since it was my suggestion and obtained from someone I know, and his sour face over the dings last time, I was expecting more criticism).

3. He took S for food and actually ate with him. This was a huge source of fights for us for several years since his MLC began. He would never eat with us. And he ate a sandwich no less (I can't even remember the last time he ate bread). Of course he has gained lots of weight so clearly he has switched up his diet.

4. The movie they saw was one that S wanted to see. Once again, one normally sees what OD wants to see.

5. Big one here. OD bought S popcorn and a drink and evidently consumed the same. Since the health kick began years ago, the fastest way to p!ss him off was the suggestion of either of these things. I couldn't resist and asked S what kind of drink he ordered (Diet Coke). When OD left, he said it was because I drank Diet Coke. When D was with him two years ago and ordered a Diet Coke, he freaked out, slammed the lid of the trash and said I had passed on my addiction to her. Apparently, he made no comment or face about the Diet Coke order.

6. He did not try to get S to agree to go to the place where he lives. In fact he never brought the place up at all.

7. The book he ordered arrived. It was about sleep and dreams. S has problems with sleeping during his depressive bouts. Not sure if the book was an empathetic gesture toward S or something OD read because he is experiencing sleep issues (he has always been a big sleeper, but who knows what his sleep has been like since leaving).

8. I really thought he would dump S home early and then run back to OW2 for VD. Guess not.

These are the first signs of returning empathy I have seen from OD. Again, no telling what is up, how long it will last, or what it means. Just reporting in case this is reconnection or a stage transition of some kind.

Last edited by job; 02/15/19 01:06 PM. Reason: edited a word