«He planned all of this,» said Harold, his voice trembling with emotion. «It wasn’t an impulse. It was premeditated.»
«What matters is that now we know the truth,» Marcus tried to console him.
«The truth is that my own son robbed me. What kind of father was I to raise a person like that?»
That question echoed in Marcus’s mind for days. He even questioned himself about what kind of father he would be to Ethan. Would he be able to raise an honest son? How could he prevent Ethan from turning into someone like Brian?
In the meantime, the household routine was running surprisingly well. Ethan was calmer and more cheerful than ever. Dorothy had become the grandmother he never had on his mother’s side. Harold, little by little, became a father figure to Marcus, offering advice on life, work, and raising children.
«You know what hurts me the most, Marcus?» Harold said one night while they were having coffee on the porch. «It’s that I always thought I was doing everything right as a father.»
«And you were, Mr. Harold.»
«How could it be right if I raised a son who steals from his own parents? You raised four children. Three are honest people, from what Mrs. Dorothy told me. One turned out wrong. That’s not your fault.»
«How can you be so sure?»
Marcus thought about the question for a moment. «Because I see how you both are. Good people don’t raise bad children. Sometimes children choose bad paths despite their upbringing. Not because of it.»
A month later, another problem arose. Marcus received an unexpected visit from the Council on Aging. A neighbor had reported that he was keeping two elderly people at home in inadequate conditions. The social worker, Ms. Catherine, arrived at the house with an extensive questionnaire and a suspicious attitude.
«Mr. Marcus, I need to assess the living conditions of Mr. Harold and Mrs. Dorothy.»
«They are here of their own free will,» explained Marcus.
«Even so, I need to verify. Do you have any training or experience in geriatric care?»
«No, but—»
«Do you work outside all day?»
«Yes, but Mrs. Dorothy takes care of my son, and at night I take care of them.»
«And if there’s a medical emergency during the day?»
Marcus realized he was being led into a trap. All the questions were aimed at proving he wasn’t capable of properly caring for the elderly.
«Ms. Catherine, may I ask who made the report?»
«That’s confidential, but I need to make it clear that if I find evidence of neglect, I will have to remove the elderly from here and refer them to a suitable institution.»
«An institution? A nursing home?»
«A shelter for elderly people in vulnerable situations.»
That night, Marcus couldn’t sleep. The idea of being separated from Harold and Dorothy now seemed unbearable to him. They had become his family.
«Worried about something, son?» asked Dorothy, who had noticed his tension.
«The social worker might take you to a nursing home.»
«And do you think we want to stay there?»
«It’s not about what you want. It’s about what she decides is best.»
«Marcus, we’ve lived seventy years in this life. We’ve learned to manage. If needed, we’ll find a way out.»
But Marcus didn’t want them to have to find a way out. He wanted them to stay there in that house that had finally come back to life. The next day, Attorney David called with a proposal.
«Marcus, how about we make this official?»
«How so?»
«Legal guardianship. You legally assume responsibility for their care. With that, the Council on Aging can no longer interfere.»
«Is that possible?»
«Yes, but it’s a big responsibility. Any health issues, anything that happens to them, will be your legal and financial responsibility.»
Marcus didn’t hesitate for a second. «I want to do it.»
When he explained the proposal to the elderly couple, Harold was moved. «Son, are you sure about this? It’s a huge responsibility.»
«I’m absolutely sure.»
«But what if we get sick? If we need expensive medication, hospitalization?»
«Then we’ll worry about it when it happens.»
Dorothy hugged Marcus with tears in her eyes. «You’re the son I wish I’d had.»
«And you’re the parents I wish Ethan had.»
The legal guardianship process took two weeks to be approved. During this time, the social worker made two more visits, always trying to find some problem. But the house was organized, the elderly were well cared for and visibly happy.
«I must admit I’m surprised,» said Ms. Catherine on the last visit. «I rarely see elderly people in situations of family abandonment adapting so well to a new environment.»
«It’s because this isn’t a new environment,» explained Dorothy. «It’s our home.»
After the social worker left, Marcus received a phone call that changed everything again. It was Patricia, the eldest daughter of Harold and Dorothy, calling from New York.
«Hello, is this Marcus?»
«Speaking.»
«I found out through the lawyer what happened to my parents. I want to come there and get them.»
Marcus felt his heart race. «Get them?»
«Of course. I can’t let strangers take care of my parents. I’ve already arranged a place for them at a nursing home here in New York.»
«But they don’t want to go to a nursing home.»
«What they want doesn’t matter. They were tricked by Brian. They’re no longer capable of making decisions on their own.»
«With all due respect, Patricia, they are capable and they’re doing very well here.»
«Listen carefully, Marcus. I don’t know what interest you have in my parents, but they’re coming with me on Saturday.» And she hung up.
Marcus told the elderly couple about the conversation, and they became desperate.
«She can’t force us to go, can she?» asked Dorothy.
«No, if you don’t want to. But she’s your daughter. She has the legal right to have a say about what’s best.»
«We know what’s best for us,» said Harold. «Patricia has always been controlling, wants to decide everyone’s life.»
«How do you want to handle this?»
«We want to stay here,» said Dorothy without hesitation. «Here we have purpose. We take care of Ethan, help you, feel useful. In a nursing home, we’ll just waste away until…» She didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone understood.
«Then we’ll fight for you to stay.»
On Saturday morning, Patricia arrived in a luxury car accompanied by her husband, a severe-looking man wearing a suit. She was a fifty-year-old woman, well-dressed, with the look of someone who was used to getting her way.
«Dad, Mom, pack your things. We’re leaving,» she said, not even bothering to greet Marcus.
«Patricia, we want to talk to you,» said Dorothy.
«There’s nothing to talk about. You were tricked by Brian. Now you’re going to a safe place where you’ll be well taken care of.»
«We’re already being well taken care of here,» protested Harold.
«By a stranger? Dad, have you lost your minds?»
Marcus tried to approach to properly introduce himself, but Patricia’s husband intercepted him. «Are you Marcus?»
«I am.»
«Richard, Patricia’s husband. I need to speak with you in private.»
They went out to the porch while Patricia continued trying to convince her parents in the living room.
«Listen, Marcus, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but it’s not going to work.»
«I’m not playing any game.»
«No? A young guy alone suddenly decides to take care of two elderly people with no relation to him. Do you think we’re idiots?»
«I think you’re being suspicious, and we have every reason to be. How many cases do we see of people taking advantage of vulnerable seniors?»
«I’m not taking advantage of anyone.»
«Prove it. How? By showing their bank account activity since they’ve been here. How much are you charging to care for them?»
Marcus was outraged. «I’m not charging anything. On the contrary, I’m spending my own money on them.»
«Then you’re either an idiot or a saint, and I don’t believe in either.»
The conversation on the porch was interrupted when they heard shouts coming from the living room. Patricia was physically trying to drag Dorothy out of the house.
«Mom, stop it. You have no choice.»
«Patricia, let go of your mother!» shouted Harold.
«Dad, you too. Let’s go now.»
Marcus entered the room and saw Dorothy crying, being pulled by her daughter.
«Patricia, stop this. Your mother said she doesn’t want to go.»
«And you have nothing to do with this, stranger.»
«Yes, I do. I have legal guardianship of them.»
Patricia stopped pulling her mother and looked at Marcus in disbelief. «Legal guardianship? That’s ridiculous.»
«It’s official. Approved by the court.»
Richard approached threateningly. «This will be contested in court. You took advantage of vulnerable seniors to get this guardianship.»
«Do whatever you want. But today they’re not leaving here against their will.»