My Son Told Me Not to Come for Christmas but Two Days Later My Phone Would Not Stop Ringing

parents are flying in from Connecticut,” he said. “They confirmed this morning. And they prefer a more intimate setting.”

I let the word intimate sit in the room for a moment. “Their way,” I said. “And what way is that?”

“They’re academics, Dad. They have very specific expectations around the holidays. They like things quiet. Controlled.” He paused. continue reading …