Sarah Nyhan

So there I am at her house but it is starting to be clear that they have major marital problems. I had my suspicions about what was going on. It appeared toxic.

I compare it to carbon monoxide. Nothing outwardly is being said, but the energy is deadly. It is sickening. It seeps into you and you feel frozen. You feel stuck.

And it wasn’t good for my mental health.

I grew up where there was constant tension and fear of fights. And how that would impact me and others. It is just sick to be around. The jabs, the back and forth, the undercuts.

So I’d stay in the bedroom as much as possible. But things felt really wrong.

This couple had positions of leadership. “Serving” in many capacities. Highly visible.

But rather than stay there and just use them for their stuff. Rather than take their offer of a free room, I decided to leave and be homeless again.

Would you have stayed?