Her daughter's recovery is the one thing she most fears.

The loss of superiority which would follow.

The inability to moralize, to stigmatize, to ostracize, to belittle and berate.

"We love her anyway," was her instruction to her grandson. Careful and precise in its holier-than-everyone.

It would have been healthier for us all if I had reached across the table and slapped her off her chair.

Maybe next time I will.