Civility wasn't generally the best one hoped for in a family Christmas, but maybe it was a place to start. I didn't want Sarah hurt, but I knew she was a big girl, and she could take it. Mostly I was worried about Heidi. She hadn't asked for this, and the thought it might blow back on her scared me silly. I know we'd talked about this, but future, theoretical bigotry was a lot easier to contemplate than the immediately presenting sort.

We stopped for a quick bite and potty break in Fort Wayne before crossing into Michigan. Almost on cue it started to snow, and I flipped on the...