"Would you like to start this time?"

"Yes, let me just put my phone away. What is that, a joint?"

"No it is Palo Santo. It’s incense that helps keep evil spirits away."

"Oh wonderful."

"Ughh, I know what you are thinking, just surrender to this smell."

"I am, I am! I didn't say anything, give me a break. Why do you always put me in a box that way?"

"Oh there you go again! I thought we were supposed to do a check in, not fight. That defies the whole point."

"Ok, ok. I am just trying to express...."

"Would you like to start us off this time, since I went first last time?"

"Yes. Ok. SO! I will start with gratitude as we always do. I am very grateful for your help with the kids this week, it really helped me focus on work and get a lot of shit done."

"You're welcome..."

"And I am thankful for all the delicious meals you have cooked for us these past weeks, and for your courage and understanding of what I am going through."

"My pleasure..."

"And my check in today, is that I feel a bit suffocated in the home. As I said, I ...I appreciate all you do...but I don't feel like I can express any opinions anymore...it is like you have no capacity to hear me out or for me to be myself."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean like I feel like I am walking on eggshells around you. It is like I have a gun to my head."