He had been a lawyer, and still was a lawyer, who was continuing to work into his 80's. At home, of course. It's hard to talk to you. I've always found it hard to talk to you. What that response had to do with the matter at hand did not connect with me, but the remark opened the door.
Nobody loves everybody in the same manner.
For God's sake, you know that. You know that you reserve your love, your respect, for your oldest son, certainly not for me. The words came out of me very calmly. His visage changed completely. The look of indifference combined with some acknowledgment of my presence faded as his face stiffened and his eyes iced over.