Story told by Kath Knippa.
I will begin today by telling you about the event that brought us down. Changed my life.
So, we had all lived together for a few years. Life was good. My grandson was a few years old, and I took care of him every day. Loved it.
It was New Year’s Eve, and my daughter took my grandson to visit family for the holiday. My son-in-law’s mother was visiting for the holiday, so the three of us were in the house. I was in my room upstairs watching the news. Later, I heard noises downstairs. I heard thumps and groans. Not wanting to mingle, I stayed watching tv until 30 or more minutes went by. I kept hearing noises and people talking but could not understand what they were saying. I thought they might want company, so I went down to see. Oh! Gee! I wish now that I had not.
The son-in-law and his mother were standing in the hallway, facing each other, holding each other by their arms. I said Hi, walked to them a few steps, asked how they were. Neither one responded. She was staring at him, he was standing, holding her up. I saw that she was weaving unsteadily. She was in her slip; no dress or shoes or bra but covered by the full slip. She slurred when she spoke to him, not acknowledging me.
I realized that she was having trouble standing and thought I should ask for help. He said she wanted to go to the bathroom, which was nearby so I thought, as a woman, I should assist her. I offered my hand and said I would take her. She held tightly to him. Did not seem to hear me.
She tried to take a step but could not move her feet any distance. Then she leaned in towards him and they kissed on the lips for what seemed to be several seconds. I could not believe what I was seeing and was stunned. All this continued for maybe 10 minutes. They would kiss as in making out. She would try to move toward him.
As I realized this peculiar situation was seriously abnormal and they were both very drunk, I attempted to intervene. In a calm tone of voice, I told them that I would take her to the bathroom and help her put clothes on. She moaned, “No.” He said he would take her. It surprised me that he wanted to stay there with her. I stayed near the two thinking that I was needed.
My son-in-law mentioned they had gone to a bar for dinner and drank too much. I asked rhetorically, “even though she’s an alcoholic?!” The two of them remained close, facing each other when I realized she had been reaching toward his crotch in a sudden motion, he would jump back to avoid her touch. She would smile while saying to “hold” her, so she did not fall. Her speech was stereotypically drunk. His was too but not as bad. I stepped back not knowing what to do. I felt certain that I should help her, but it was clear that neither wanted me there. Then they were suddenly quiet. I looked at her as urine ran down her leg and onto her slip, making it see through. I offered to help her and was ignored.
I stepped to the other side of the stairway to leave them, not knowing what was best for me to do. I went upstairs for a brief time. When I returned, she was on the toilet with him standing in front of her. I finally realized this was no place for me. They did not want help.
Several minutes later, she was walking, stumbling, to the next room. The lights were out, it was dark. She called him. He walked toward her as she said something about going to the corner of that room.
I went upstairs, my mind blown with what had just happened. All at once I was thinking what I should do, what should I say to my daughter, what should I say to him and his mom. Should I mention incest? How should I act and what to say to my family from now on?
I have said enough now. I am exhausted. Reliving this is depressing and scary.