Chapter 7: The Pushback
They did not stay quiet for long.
On the third day, Derek left a longer voicemail. His voice was controlled, almost reasonable.
“You’re escalating this beyond what it needs to be. Dad’s confused. He’s been forgetting things for months. Priscilla was only trying to protect him—and herself—when he got aggressive. If you keep pushing this narrative, you’re going to destroy what’s left of this family.”
I saved the message and added it to the file.
Priscilla tried a different route. She contacted two of my father’s old neighbors and asked them to write statements about his “declining mental state.” One of them called me instead, uncomfortable with the request. I thanked him and asked him to put what he had observed in writing—for the official record.
That afternoon Rebecca, the attorney handling the protective order, called to say Priscilla’s lawyer had filed a motion to have the restraining order lifted, claiming it was preventing “necessary family caregiving.” The hearing was set for the following week.
I listened to the details, then looked through the glass wall of my father’s hospital room. He was sitting up, picking at a tray of food he didn’t want.
May you like
“They’re not getting near him,” I said.
“No,” Rebecca agreed. “They’re not.”
