After years of caring for my father with declining mental health, I returned from a business trip only to get kicked out of his house.
But I called the police when my neighbor mentioned the two people who were most likely involved.
I came home from my work trip exhausted but eager to see my dad. At 42, I’d spent the last few years living with and taking care of him as his mental health slowly slipped away.
Some days were better than others. He’d remember everything crystal clear, and we’d laugh about old family stories.
Other days, he’d stare at me blankly, asking where my mom was, even though she’d passed away five years ago.
But coming back on that particular Tuesday, I discovered just how vicious people could be, and it changed something fundamental in me.
I walked through our front door, my rolling suitcase squeaking against the hardwood floors.
Something immediately felt off. All my things and other big suitcases, the ones I kept in the hall closet, were lined up by the door.
Before I could process what that meant, Dad jumped up from his usual spot on our beige couch.
His face turned red, and he pointed a shaking finger at me. “GET OUT OF HERE AND NEVER COME BACK!”
My heart stopped.
“Dad, what’s wrong?
It’s me, Sarah.”
“I know exactly who you are! Get out of my house!” His voice cracked with anger I’d never heard before, and he hurled a nearby magazine at me.
Brenda, the caregiver I’d hired to watch him whenever I was away, stood in the kitchen doorway. She didn’t move to help or explain anything.
She just watched with an odd little smile that made my skin crawl.
I wanted to ask her what was going on, but my dad was getting too agitated.
“Please, Dad. Let’s talk about this.” I reached for his arm, but he jerked away.
“Don’t touch me!
Leave now, or I’m calling the police!”
Not wanting to upset him further, I stepped outside onto our worn welcome mat, my legs shaking. I breathed deeply to calm my nerves, but the spring air felt too cold suddenly.
I had no idea what was happening, but I knew that my father was completely lucid.
So, why did he react like that?
I walked a few steps into the yard as I considered the possibilities and turned back to look at our house.
It was the same two-story colonial where I’d grown up, where I’d played hide-and-seek, and most recently, where I’d nursed Dad back to health after his first mental breakdown.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
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