My "dad's" an abusive asshole; Mom finally left his ass on September 18, 1990, but said some time in last year she wouldn't have legally separated from or divorced him if she knew he would treat especially me & my brother (21 months younger) like shit for years afterward. 😳

My father was abusive and my mother couldn't leave until divorce laws changed. Then she could not get credit, or a bank account. Her last pregnancy almost killed her bc abortion was illegal (before divorce). There was nothing good about these days for women/children and we are hurtling back there

Former (me) knew damn well how he treated Mom & wasn't about to go fucking live with him. Latter (my brother Steve, who has stayed with Mom in Vermont since 4th of July 2010 weekend) likely has PTS from incidents like "Dad" threatening to strangle him for refusing to take out 🗑️. 🤬

I was the oldest. I was aware of what was going on. She didn't have anyone else really. He cut her off from the world.

Kathy, my "baby" sister (now almost 42 & living in SC near Charlotte, NC; master's degree in Conflict Resolution Studies; working as HR consultant for corporations that "care" about not treating employees like shit) didn't get the worst of Dad's shit 1/

My youngest sister is the same. She was a baby when we left and never lived with him.

Kathy lived with me & Mom at first... but when she was in high school (graduated in June '02), she lived with Amanda, a dear friend of hers, & her family (likely in large part bc #Capitalism embarrassment that Mom lived in Fayetteville, NC mobile home park from fall '90 to right before 🎄 '06). 🙄

because she had no fear or qualms whatsoever during out childhood that would have kept her from looking at "Dad" as if she believed he was out of his fucking mind. Here she is!

Here's my brother Steve & his favorite emotional support cat, Cookie Vinnie (the one our stepdad Joe selected to bring home in August 2022) during my September 2024 vacation up to Vermont! 💚🏔️😻

Cats are wonderful!