Mark...sounds like a very positive interaction today...she is reaching out...make her stretch, lol...
It is wise to be cautious about the aide in your son's class...that is exactly how afairs "just happen" when your not looking for them...it might be wise to choose Al-anon over confiding or listening to her further...if it feels good to be hugged...imagine how good it would feel if she kissed you???..or maybe your shouldn't imagine that....
I know it is tough with a spouse that has an addiction...especially if they are in denial of that addiction...that is where Al-anon can help...basically I figured out finally after covering up for H over the years (he wasn't too bad but when he did go off it wasn't pretty)that I wasn't doing that anymore...I let the kids know what was happening, our church elders, no more secrets!!!...and I refused to nurse him and deal with his "happy drunk/mean drunk" personality on me...so I started calling 911 when he "wasn't right"...and both times my gut was right...he had been drinking.... both times he was .25 BAC...this is when the hospital did an "intervention" and this was the start of his getting control....
I wish you and your son the best...and also your wife...she is obviously in pain because people don't drink like that unless they are trying to drown something out...
Hang in there Mark, your doing an awesome job and I admire your commitment...
