Dad's perfidy (XP from LJ)

So. The reason Dad lost his shit and was screaming at me last week was because I had backed up their "my documents" folder on my HDD before I started fiddling wtih their computer (which was so full of crapware, bloatware, shitware, malware, filth - it was the most disgustingly filthy computer I have ever in my life seen, and I've cleaned a lot of them - that I probably could have spent four days just cleaning it up). First Lois got upset and wanted to know what made me think I had the right to have their documents on my hard drive. I kind of shook my head in confusion, and explained I'd just put them there so if anything happened while I was working on the computer their documents and pictures would be safe. She kept pushing at me about it, and finally got up and walked out of the living room, clearly upset. She didn't TELL me she was upset, mind you. It was just clear. She yelled something to Dad from the kitchen. At that point I was just shaking my head and going, "wtf just happened?" But I took my laptop over to Dad and attempted to explain the difference between a user profile on the computer and a user profile on MSN.

He stared at me and glared at me, and said, "which one of those files is our stuff?" "None," I said. "It's on my external hard drive over here."

"Delete it. Delete it NOW."

I stared at him. I said, "Dad, you don't UNDERSTAND. I just backed them up so I could put them back on your computer if anything happened."

His anger became more palpable. "I don't give a FUCK. You delete them NOW. You do what I said."

I said, "I won't delete them until I put them back on your computer. Your pictures and everything are in there."

Now he was screaming, five inches from my face. "DELETE IT NOW!!!! YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO GO IN AND READ OUR STUFF!!!" I said, "I didn't read a fucking thing... I just backed it up!"

"DELETE THE WHOLE GODDAMN PROGRAM!!!"

I was starting to shake.

I said, "Don't speak to me like that. Ever. You don't have a clue what you're talking about."

He screamed at me again. "DON'T YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!!! I KNOW WHAT I AM TELLING YOU TO DO, NOW DELETE THE GODDAMN THING BEFORE I..." His hand was raised.

I was really shaking now. Shaking inside. Not because I was afraid, exactly. But because I was once again that little girl, the one who was crumpled in the corner, crying, broken. Not because HE hit me, but because Mom did. The players didn't matter. The feeling did.

I silently ejected my HDD, silently shut down my computer. He started to say something. I didn't look at him. I just said, "Don't speak to me. At all." And I kept packing my things. Just MY things, just the things that belonged to me, which Lois had (of course) tossed in a box. Not the things Lois had just given me the week before. Just my things.

I shouldered all my bags and carried my box out to the car, started it, backed out, and left without looking back. I wasn't even out of the driveway when the sobs hit... the sobs, then the shaking came bubbling up through my limbs and I tried to call Tim and couldn't get through and oh my god driving out of that town felt like driving out of hell.

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I was angry. I was hurt. I was completely incredulous. Did that really happen? Because I did the responsible thing? Really?

This can't be real.

Part of my anger was because... I am not a fucking SNOOP. I was doing what any responsible IT person would: backing up irreplaceable files. To be accused of doing something nefarious, when I was doing something that took literally fourteen hours just to get started?

Tim evinced some curiosity as to what they were trying to hide. At that point, I didn't care. Not in the least.

This morning, I was trying to find a grant narrative for Jenn, and I saw the file on my HDD: "Dad and Lois Backup."

I saw a letter titled "Letter to Mat and Cori." Matt is my ex-husband. Kori is his second wife. No, neither Dad nor Lois can spell.

Why are they writing letters to my ex-husband and his wife?

I decided I no longer gave a shit about my credibility with them. So I opened it.

This is what I found.
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Dear Mat and Kori,

Please find enclosed a copy of instructions from our Will that pertains to the boys. We would like you to keep this someplace for future reference.

We took out life insurance policies on both the boys shortly after each were born. This would guarantee them coverage later on in life at a very low premium to them and also cover their families when the time came.

Presently, Morgan and Sam are each covered by a $50,000.00 whole life policy. This policy has the options of being increased by either one of them at any time in the future with no medical exam and no questions asked. They can also expand each policy to cover their future wives and any children, also without any exams and no limitations.

Lois and I will maintain these policies until such time in the future the boys are financially able to take them over ( after they finish their educations and get settled in their careers ). As you can see, I am the first owner and beneficiary of each policy and Lois is the second. Should anything happen to either of the boys, their final expenses will be taken care of and the balance will be used to establish an IRA for the survivor. Should anything happen to both the boys, all final expenses will be taken care of and the balance will be used to establish an IRA held equally by Noah, Charlotte, and any other siblings that my come along in the future.

Please note, Lois’ daughter, Kristin Poole of Muscatine, has been designated as third owner of the policies should anything happen to both Lois and I. The reason for this is Gretchen. She knows these policies exist and is not very happy, to say the least. She has made it very clear she feels she should be the beneficiary and be entitled to “THE MONEY” if anything should happen either Morgan or Sam. We did not start these policies to benefit anyone except the boys themselves. Kristin was named third owner to avoid any problems between the two of you, the boys and Gretchen.

As it states in the instructions, should Kristin feel she can no longer manage this, she will contact you and make arrangements for you to take them over for the boys.

I have given Kristin a copy of these instructions and she understands what is to be done. I have also given a copy to Brian Shepley, State Farm Insurance, Muscatine, to keep on file with the policies.

Morgan is getting close to starting college and Sam will soon follow. When they make their final decision regarding the schools they will attend, we will help with their expenses as much as we are able.

If you ever have any questions, Please call us.

Lois and Marion
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Every time I read this, my stomach hurts a little more.

God knows what other lies they've told other people.