I can definitely vouch for his oversized ego. As can my siblings, and mom, and his other ex-wife, and Ann. He spends a lot of time talking about himself and how highly intelligent he is (and was as a kid) and he REALLY enjoys hearing himself talk. Whenever I see him, it's like he always feels the need to impart upon us some piece of profound wisdom, no matter how many times he's already told us the same thing, and no matter how many times he contradicts himself or pretends that the rules he gives everyone else don't apply to him. Maybe I just want to see him as a generous, selfless guy underneath all his flaws, or maybe he really is as generous as he seems to be, but I can't help but think that no way someone with an ego his size can do these supposedly selfless acts without some underlying reason for it, like for recognition. Or maybe his apparent ego is just to hide some deep-seated insecurity. I dunno.

Whatever the case, I've just been checking in on Ann occasionally, and sharing informative articles on abusive relationships in an attempt to convince her to leave. I know she's an adult, and I can't make her decision for her, but there's no way I can just not think about this. I care about her very much, and I can't let a fellow woman, much less a friend, go through this on her own. At the same time, I'm going to try my best to focus as much as I can on starting this new chapter of my life, intimidating as the thought may be -- but I'll be away from my dad and closer to my partner and best friends, who have given me the best emotional support I could ask for, so I'm trying to focus on that. But it would be nice to have someone professional to work through all these emotions I have been dealing with for the past several years, and I don't mean just the anger I have towards my father, which I'm sure needs to be dealt with too. It's been extremely difficult not thinking or being reminded of him on a daily basis since this whole situation started, and I feel like I've been sinking into another episode of depression this week because of it. Jet lag plus daylight savings time may have been a contributing factor though.

Thank you everyone, so much, for all the support and advice you've given me. You are all wonderful people.