Lately what I've been writing sounds a little stiff. That's because my target audience is legal officials; social workers and attorneys. I started keeping a journal in the beginning just for myself. It only occurred to me much later that this might be a useful tool in our struggle.

Having said that, here is some more unofficial detail of yesterday's events. My tolerance level for Stewart has either dropped or I'm at my max. In any case, I made myself unavailable to take him to Ohio this weekend. We have only succeeded in picking Carrie up one time in the last year. I didn't believe we would be successful this weekend, so I didn't go. It has been several months since Dad and Rita were involved, so I let them help when they offered. It may have been a mistake.

Kent and I were looking forward to a quiet night at home instead of our usual 4-hour round trip to OH. Our movie watching was interrupted several times because someone or other called us on the phone several times. Stewart called twice before they even made it to OH to complain about how Dad and Rita were treating him. He was ready to get out of the car and walk in Erlanger. I didn't offer any advice either time he called. I just listened.

During one phone call I received a call waiting beep. When I answered the call I found Dad on the other line. He was calling to complain about Stewart. He was saying that Stewart was being unbearable and that he would probably never do this again. I didn't know what to say. I just said something like, "That's Stewart. You know how he is. Just get through it and come home."

Today, the next day, I talked to Stewart again on the phone. He said he'd never ride with Dad to OH ever again. He said Dad talked to him "like a dog" all the way up. Dad allegedly told him to keep his mouth shut. He was ungrateful. Dad was doing him a favor. You name it, Dad allegedly said it to Stewart. I'm sure it was a two-way street. Stewart said the evening ended with Dad telling him to get off his property before he got out his gun. What on earth could Stewart have said to Dad to provoke that kind of anger?

I do remember one other time when Stewart rode to OH with Dad and Mom (an unlikely pair). Mom told me later that Stewart let out all the stops in telling Dad everything he thought about how he was raised and how he felt like he didn't have a father. I would love to have heard it all, but would NOT have wanted to be in the car.

I also talked to Dad today. He didn't mention the orders to vacate premises, but he told me that Stewart told Rita to shut up at least once in the evening. He implied that Rita wasn't a real family member (or grandmother at least). Dad told Stewart to never talk to his wife that way again.

I'm sure all of it is true, it's just a matter of putting all the pieces together. Both men can be hard to handle at times. I know I'm much better off if I only have small doses one at a time. Right now I tolerate them for Carrie's sake. She is the one true focus of my familial energy. Something's gotta change soon. Carmen has already been found to be in contempt of court. How much longer can this go on?