Once A Source Of Joy
Once a source of happiness, Thad’s mother’s visits had grown more awkward. There seemed to be an undertone of stress and strain in place of the warmth that had previously defined their home. Thad was at a crossroads, torn between his respect for his mother and his intense love for his wife. He treasured the life he and Annie had created together, the car he had given her, their shared apartment. However, his connection with his mother was strained as a result of the developing disdain for her food. The true problems that were seething beneath the surface were much more complicated than Thad realized.
As The Months Went By
The conflict between Thad, Annie, and his mother grew more intense as the months passed. The distance between Annie and his mother grew, despite Thad’s expectation that the problems would resolve themselves. Annie’s passive-aggressive behavior made Thad feel more and more alone. He missed the companionship, humor, and warmth of family meals that had once pervaded his existence. Every meal became a battleground, trapping Thad between his family and his wife. He was aware that before he lost his mind, he needed to deal with the fundamental problems.