My mother-in-law pointed at the door during New Year’s dinner and snapped, **“If you don’t like my rules, get out!”** – Welcome

evening at dinner. I heard her laugh through the window while my father was talking.

He did not apologize directly. My father was not built for direct apology, any more than he was built for doubt. But he asked about Emma. He asked what she liked. He asked whether we might come for Sunday dinner sometime, the four of them and the three of us, and I continue reading …