I dont understand all the fear. This man can litterally do NOTHING to you. If YOU dont want to go then dont go. Get a free meal, maybe a beer or two out if it.
Obviously you are your own person. If he brings something up you dont want to talk about then tell him its none of his business. Go, or dont go but dont cower in fear to him.
The "walking on eggshells" mentallity is what allows the dubs to keep the control. I do understand that people want to stay in for family or any other number of reasons but at the end of the day, if you shrink yourself for family or friends you are only hurting yourself and as in indirect consequence, helping to keep the jdub bubble strong. Break the bubble!!
pbrow