Ok, some of you know my mom and I have been going thru a lot lately, what with her health problems and everything. We've also been very stressed about a family situation, that I couldn't post about before now, because she wasn't ready for it to be made public. <br /><br />A few months ago, Mom decided she was finally ready to seriously think about leaving my stepdad. This is a good thing, and way overdue. He has been emotionally abusive, and sometimes even physically abusive, for many years. He has depression/mental health issues, and has even been in the hospital twice for attempted suicide. She wasn't ready to tell him yet, as she wanted to figure out how she was going to live if she went thru with it, and she was also waiting for me to finish updating their financial records. This part calls for a little background info...<br /><br />I have for several years worked for my mom doing all her bookkeeping, both for their business, and personally. I am several months behind getting all the receipts entered in the accounting programs, which is my fault. But she wanted everything to be up-to-date so it would be easier to discuss things with him, and in the event she decided to with a separation.<br /><br />Then, she started having seizures. As I have previously posted, she came to stay with me to recuperate, since it is stressful at their house (they have been running the business from home). Long story "shortened", he has totally flipped out, and accused her (and me by extension) of embezzling and hiding extremely large amounts of money. We haven't. The business has been operating at a loss for several years. She tried on several occassions to make him realize they were getting in over their head, but was never able to have a rational conversation with him. He would start throwing things, and then deny that she ever tried to talk to him. He claims he has been asking for months for all the financial details, and what all the staff's responsibilities and duties were, but that she refused to tell him. This in untrue, but when someone is totally irrational, there is no way to convince them of something they refuse to believe. <br /><br />Anyway, Mom and I are extremely glad we already had plans to leave town today (we will be out of state for over a week). We are fearful of him becoming violent. He left her several voicemails threatening legal action, has changed the locks on the doors, and even closed the joint checking account, taking out all the money. We think we have enough funds to cover the trip, since we prepaid for some things and had already withdrawn some travelling money. But it's going to be very tight. And she has no idea if she will be able to retrieve her clothing and other personal belongings when we return. She has the legal right to enter the property and get them, but he may have destroyed them by then. It wouldn't be the first time he's trashed stuff. <br /><br />Of course, all this stress is the last thing she needs right now. It doesn't help knowing that she and I are both out of a job. She isn't in a position to get another one with her current health issues, and it will be difficult for me to find one that will pay the bills while also allowing me to care for her and have the freedom to take her to all her medical appointments. She has already started collecting social security, but $800 a month won't even pay for her health insurance and prescriptions. Thank heavens Kevin is ok with her staying with us for a while. It also helps that almost everyone, including several members of my stepdads family, are on Mom's side, and willing to do whatever they can to help. But the down side is he is a fairly well known business professional, and can be quite charming, so most of the "public" will be shocked by any claims we make about his mental status.<br /><br />I know I'm rambling, but I just had to get some of this off my chest, and out in the open. Thanks for letting me rant.
Honorary Pixie/Tavern Wench Emeritus/The Chainmaille Wench
