As you may have guessed, it's about MSSS and her ongoing tale of woe and agony.

It starts simply enough. Dad told Mrs. Dad he wanted to go visit MSSS and Mr. MSSS and sit down with a notebook and a pen and show them where they sit moneywise, where they would sit in so many months moneywise if they sell the house, and where they would sit in those same months if they didn't sell the house. All in the name of making sure they are making an informed decision before moving forward.

Mrs. Dad said, "No. I will not have you trying to tell MSSS that she is wrong."

He said, "I'm not trying to tell her she's wrong, I'm trying to show her the reality of the situation before she makes a mistake, in either direction."

"No, I forbid it. You're not allowed to do this."

Now, if there's one thing anyone who knows my dad will tell you, it's that you don't forbid him from doing anything. You reason with him if you don't want him to do something. You don't forbid it. You forbid it? That's like saying, "whatever you do, don't forget to do this. It's the most important thing in the world!"

So, he went and did it.

MSSS was not happy.

Dad explained this all to me yesterday in his office, having called me up there because he felt this story shouldn't be told in the cubicle space. He also said that Mrs. Dad has spent all of MSSS's life trying to protect MSSS from anything negative at all, and that her entire existence is wrapped up in protecting her daughter from ever seeing the dark side of life. All of which means, MSSS has no coping mechanisms. None at all.

Which becomes important now.

She goes in for a routine sonagram to check on her developing baby. There's a problem. A large problem. A this may not work out level problem.

And see, that right there sucks no matter who you are. I'm not ashamed to admit I teared up slightly at this news, despite my feelings towards MSSS.

Mrs. Dad went immediately to her. And this is where it gets weird.

Mrs. Dad is blocking Mr. MSSS from talking with the doctors or MSSS. Mrs. Dad told Dad, "we don't want you here. Your constant negativity is not healthy for her."

Telling Dad not to come? OK, I can understand that. They're both convinced Dad hates MSSS because he occassionally tries to show her reality. But not allowing Mr. MSSS to be a part of this? He's a good dad, as far as I can tell. The type that wants an active part in all aspects of his children, from pregnancy right on through. At least, as much as a guy can have an active part in that. For him, he's on the verge of losing a child too here, and he's not even allowed to find out what's going on.

Dad and Mr. MSSS are chatting on the phone every once in a while, trying to figure out how either of them can find out the truth about what's going on. Neither of them have a clue.

Dad says Mrs. Dad is losing her mind. Her entire existence has been about protecting MSSS from negativity, and she can't figure out a way to prevent her from seeing the negative side of this situation. As Mrs. Dad and MSSS delve further into each other for support, and push their men away further, the feeling that all's not well with either of their marriages is beginning to settle in with the men.

The entire situation is a big old pile of suck, and I won't pretend to be callous enough that I can joke about the possible loss of an unborn child. But something very not right is going on here. It goes beyond needing her mother's help and support. There's every possibility that even in a very, very healthy relationship, the loss of a child, pre or post birth can be enough to tear it apart. This?

I can't even comprehend the possible outcomes. But none of the possibilities seem very rosy to me.