Thanks all, especially Ellymae - I appreciate your feedback! I honest to God had no idea that all of this weighed on his mind and heart to this extent. I was shocked to hear from him that he used to think of what he'd have to tell the police if I fell and hit my head and seriously injured myself. What a horrible burden he had, and for so long. Probably sounds unbelievable, but it honestly didn't occur to me while circling the drain myself.