Chapter 20 - I BECOME THE PROBLEM
After the Marcus incident, I became unbearable around Arturo.
Driver schedules checked twice.
Handrails added.
Medical appointments copied to me.
Security told to notify me if he left the estate unexpectedly.
My father tolerated this for three weeks.
Then exploded.
“I survived Marcus. I may not survive you.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“You’re monitoring me like a prisoner with better upholstery.”
“I’m protecting you.”
“There it is.”
The sentence Marcus had used in another form.
Help becoming control.
I hated the comparison.
Which meant I needed it.
Helen Park helped Arturo formalize support preferences.
Who could receive medical information.
Who could help with finances.
What required consent.
When staff should call me.
When they should call him.
Could an elderly parent choose to take reasonable risks?
Yes.
He could walk garden paths with a cane.
Go to restaurants.
Travel with support.
Attend meetings.
Make bad investment opinions.
Being seventy-nine did not transfer authorship to me.
I learned.
Slowly.
Then one afternoon he drove a golf cart into a hedge.
No injury.
I laughed for twenty minutes.
May you like
He threatened to disinherit me.
Normal family restored.
