One Mile Walk

Love or Obligation

It was 38°F and misting when I left at 10:30 this morning. It wasn't hard raining, wasn't below freezing, and the wind not bad. I thought a simple coat along with a wide brimmed hat would do for the walk. There were no puddles, but the cars made that hiss passing by. Just sort of raw.
There were three nearby houses yesterday with an above average number of cars around them. Today they are gone. I hope the T-Day gatherings were for love and not obligations. How confusing are the Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings for multiple marriage families? "'His kids,' 'Her kids,' 'Their kids,' 'Grandpa #2,' 'X-grandma #1,' 'Uncle Zeek--no, after the divorce he's not... but he was here last year.'" Maybe a few cars left early last night because somebody brought up those two forbidden words, 'religion' or 'politics.'
An old friend of my wife had a falling out with her son... 8 years ago. Something about where they needed to go for Christmas dinner. I laugh about it (loud enough for her to hear) when she phones my wife. "Oh, shut-up Don. What do you know?"
Actually, I don't, or care. Except, that she is a perfect villain for a story I started years ago.
Not even civilized anymore. Just about zero contact. Wife's words of compassion can't get her to change her position an inch.
Maybe there are better words than 'raw' to describe the conditions with her... or the weather here. Something like stanch belligerency, frigid ignorance, or cold and slippery.
I got home without getting too wet. But I'll have to dress better tomorrow, snow is forecast for tonight. Bad for walking.
Maybe something really bad will happen to my wife's friend. Like she dies without being held again by her son.