In which someone takes a trip to Stockholm

• 3:11pm

  Primo

  I talked to my parents again. My mom is trying to be upbeat, but my dad is concerned and I think I should still go.

  You were right about the sandwich. It was a decent sandwich if a comparison to really good banh mi is not involved.
• 3:27pm

  Me

  Does your dad still miss me?
• 3:28pm

  Primo

  They want you to at least acknowledge his existence.

  What you write is to my mom only. and never mentions him.
• 3:35pm

  Me

  Fine. I will write "Dear Sly and Doris"

  But he never writes to me. Only your mom does
• 3:41pm

  Primo

  My mom asked that you not fail to respect him because he has sometimes been mean.
• 3:42pm

  Me

  I am supposed to respect a man who has made her cry?
• 3:42pm

  Primo

  He did raise me, so he can't be all bad. There is only one story about him as a father that's really bad (the black eye).
• 3:42pm

  Me

  yes, but I have seen him be really mean to your mom

  and I cannot respect that

  and giving your own kid a black eye?

  that's really bad

  but that's not something you and I need to resolve

  he is your father and you love him

  and that's OK
• 3:43pm

  Primo

  I know, sweetie. But if you don't respect him (ever), it also hurts her.
• 3:43pm

  Me

  but I do not have to like someone who is mean

  not that I would disrespect him to his face

  not that I care about his feelings

  but he takes it out on your mom

  and I am not going to make her pay for it
• 3:44pm

  Primo

  But you did disrespect him during the episode at Stephanie's.
• 3:44pm

  Me

  if your mom were dead, though, I would be blunt with him

  Oh yeah!
• 3:44pm

  Primo

  And by not offering oatmeal.

  And by being a bad bacon eater.
• 3:44pm

  Me

  Telling him to knock it off because Maria

  had not mispronounced the word!

  your dad is a little bit overly sensitive, isn't he?

  Did you tell your mom that one of my issues is the way he treats her?

  Of course, she will defend him -

  if she acknowledges that his treatment is bad, she would have to do something about it
• 3:47pm

  Primo

  It's too late for her to do something about it. She needs to make the best of what she has left.
• 3:47pm

  Me

  but that is between them

  I know

  But does she understand that I am on her side?
• 3:49pm

  Primo

  It doesn't help for you to be "on her side" when that means being against him. Except for when I'm visiting, he is all she has left.