Family! Drama! Report!

• The Father Can't really tell you because I didn't see him this trip. There was a possibility of getting together Tuesday but he ended up having to work--half a day, as I discovered ten minutes into an attempted nap when he called me to announce that he was free. That's great--what are we going to do with the hour or so I have before my train leaves? Moreover, I didn't really sweat it, because I'll be seeing him again this weekend and then (for reasons previously explained) again next weekend. So he has nothing to complain about--which isn't to say he won't. Watch this space!
• The Stepmother Frightened everyone with a sudden fall which kept her off the plane for New York. Early reports were frightening, but it sounds like she escaped with only bruises--including a nice big shiner. This weekend I'll have a chance to inspect it myself.
• The Mother Should be the subject of an entry all her own. Surprisingly together overall--twice I found myself fuming at the prospect of being made late only to have her get us there bang on time after all. Her house was pretty tragic when I entred, but it was quite a bit better before I left, and little thanks to me. I had a comfortable bed to sleep in for a change but no hot water for showering, so that's sort of a wash.
• The Brother Took everyone aback by insisting on the coming to the wedding reception and behaved himself rather well. His awkward attempts at conversation were made worse by the crappy acoustics, which also did him no favours on the audiohallucination front, but he refrained from abusing the availability of alcohol. We missed a chance to hang out on Sunday but spent a good chunk of time together chatting on Monday, and for once it was something reasonably engaging to me. So, score!
• The Other Brother Talked to me for all of five minutes after the wedding ceremony regarding the meeting with Mom's financial advisor. I gather he and Mom had a good visit on Friday, which cheers me considerably, and he and his wife seem to have had some fun at the reception despite being trapped at a table with some of our less favourite cousins.
• The Sister Actually had two hours with me with no children present--half of which was taken up with errands and through all of which I was fairly zombified. But she was beaming at the wedding reception and was, as always, a great sport at having half the family invade her house on short notice.
• #1 Son Still a tattletale who inexplicably thinks it should be interesting for you to watch him play a game you don't care to understand. But kept on an even keel the whole time and seemed genuinely excited to have me around.
• #2 Son Remarkably affectionate; seemed like I couldn't take up a position on the couch without him wanting to snuggle up against me. Also fascinated by my nails.
• #3 Son Only one major meltdown this trip. Still trying to break his mother's spirit with the potty. Fascinated by my nails to the point where Mommy is going to have a tough time explaining to him and ECI why they aren't allowed to grow theirs long like Unca Da.
• #4 Son OMG HE IS SO CUTE AND SWEET I COULD JUST PLOTZ
• The Brother-In-Law Still a model of forbearance. Happily stayed up playing games (and unperturbed when I HANDED HIM HIS ASS) and took it in stride having company on his evening constitutional.