In a way, I was fortunate that we sold our house early in the separation. Since I moved in with my mom and my ex bought his beach duplex that he was already living in, stuff was split at that time. My ex pushed for it, but I was ready to move on and knew I couldn’t afford to buy him out of the house. With the exception of a single painting that he has, there’s nothing he has that I want, and nothing I have that I think he’d want. (The painting is a watercolor of our kids when they were young, commissioned by their nanny for a Xmas present. I’d like to ask him for a turn having it - I just don’t want to open the door to any discussion of the kids, or their troubled relationships with him. )
Still, I think I’ll ask soon. I have lots of wall space and he has very little. He might be happy to send it to me - room to put something more “hip and beachy” on the wall. Maybe I’ll broach the subject now, before Father’s Day, so my son could bring it home with him when he visits him.
My kids were in college so it wasn’t as complicated splitting stuff. And although I loved that house, I didn’t want to start my new life with the memories of my life there with him. My new house carries no trace of the philandering narcissist and I’m glad of it.
