Chapter 5 - WHY LAUREN NEEDED MOM TO LOOK CONFUSED
The answer came from a draft email on Lauren’s laptop.
Addressed to me.
Never sent.
Subject:
Mom’s condition
It read:
Andrew, I think we need to consider assisted living. She’s becoming impossible to manage and may not be competent to handle her finances much longer.
Attached was a list of “incidents.”
Mom forgot a doctor appointment.
Mom misplaced a checkbook.
Mom left the stove on.
Mom accused Lauren of taking money.
The final item was the key.
Increasing paranoia about finances.
Paranoia.
If Mom complained about missing money, the complaint itself became proof she was confused.
Elegant.
Terrifying.
Lauren had not only controlled her.
She had been preparing a story that would make any objection look like illness.
I remembered every time Lauren said:
“Your mom isn’t herself.”
Every time I agreed.
Every time Mom tried to tell me something on video and Lauren interrupted with:
“She’s tired.”
I had helped silence my own mother by accepting the easier interpretation.
May you like
That truth stayed with me.
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