“That was before I heard what Christine really thinks of me,” the words tumbled out. “Before I found out I was uninvited from Mother’s Day while her parents were welcome. Before I heard your wife say that me going to a nursing home would be a ‘real cause for celebration.’”

Silence. Then, “You were spying on us?”

The accusation stung. “No, David. I came to drop off gifts, and Christine was talking loudly enough for the neighbors to hear.”

“She didn’t mean it,” he said, but his voice lacked conviction.