Thanks Run, Echoes, Bebop... I find it astounding that anyone is taking the time to read my huge long posts. Sorry about that. Feeling verbose, I guess.

I decided to stay a few more days, despite the fact that it's a terrible time to be away from my client this week. My stepmom is so frazzled. We bought diapers (aka "special pants") for my dad this evening. I am wondering if his kidneys are having problems - he peed himself 3 times today, and actually made it to the bathroom about 4 other times. He's peeing more than I am, and I'm pregnant...

Thanks for your kind words, Run. I don't know if I'm being sane and logical. Or maybe I am... one part of me that's very confused about myself is that I'm still having a hard time softening up around him. I'm helping him as much as he'll let me, but my actions feel robotic. My nurture supply is completely cut off when I'm with him. I'd probably be more nurturing with a complete stranger. I am confused about why that is.

Echoes, I tried your suggestion of reading to him - that was a good idea. Unfortunately, especially with me, he never understands a word I say. This has been a problem ever since I was able to talk - English is not his first language and for whatever reason - my pitch? don't know - he always has a difficult time understanding me when I speak, and now it's almost impossible. I read about 2 paragraphs of greek mythology to him and then he told me it was enough.

Bebop - I don't know what to contest. We need to make some provisions for my stepmom. She's put up with so much - he's not an easy man to be in a relationship with. She's taking good care of him now. I agree that it was wrong of her to get him to sign something in his limited intellectual state, but on the other hand, what else could she do? On her own, she has absolutely nothing. I can't imagine being in her shoes. I don't know what her alternative would be if we contested it. We can't get a new will written, because he's not in any better intellectual state now than he was a week ago. I suppose it's as fair as it can be without starting the whole process from scratch, which also would be difficult to uphold because then SHE could contest that we got him to sign something when he wasn't competent to make decisions. And since I appreciate what she's doing for him since I can't do anywhere close to as much, I wouldn't contest it; not now.

Ugh.