Can't get it out of my head. Spoke with Liam yesterday — his first day home with 7-month-old Nicholas on parental leave and Arleigh's first day back at work. He says he has more respect for his wife now that after a day, his back is killing him. I'd asked if he was enjoying the time home. "Well there's a lot of stuff to do y'know, so I'm busy. It's not like I'm sitting around playing computer games."

Something to justify? Something he hadn't expected? I just don't get why he felt he had to tell me, a stay-at-home mom, that there was work involved.

Sadly, still, in most our conversations and encounters I sense an underlying bitterness in him. Something in life hasn't worked out as hoped. Meanwhile, Arleigh sports a defiant attitude — like she's just won a petty argument, but it's ongoing.

I probably shouldn't talk about my friends here. What if they read this?