Chapter 8 - THE DECISION THAT COST MY FATHER HIS HOME FOR A WHILE
Dad hated the idea of leaving his house.
He hated the guardianship petition more.
Samuel Greene explained that Michael could ask the probate court for temporary emergency relief, but he would still need evidence. Dad would have notice, counsel, and an opportunity to challenge the allegations.
There would be no magical signature transferring his life overnight.
That comforted me.
Dad wasn't comforted.
“He's making me prove I'm myself.”
That was exactly what hurt.
Dad could fight.
But fighting meant submitting to evaluation, sharing medical records, and answering questions about his memory in front of strangers.
The allegation alone had changed the balance.
So Dad made three decisions.
He temporarily moved into a senior apartment complex near my condo—not because anyone forced him out, but because the building had controlled access and he wanted distance from Michael.
He requested an independent geriatric cognitive assessment.
And he asked Sam to petition for a formal accounting of Michael's actions under the power of attorney.
The last decision was the irreversible one.
Family complaints could be minimized.
An accounting could not.
Every transaction would have to be explained.
Dad signed the petition himself.
Then he called Michael.
“I've asked for an accounting.”
Michael was quiet.
“Claire talked you into that.”
“No.”
“Dad, please don't do this.”
“Then explain the money.”
“I can.”
“Good. Explain it to the court.”
Michael's breathing changed.
Then he said, “If you push this, Vanessa could go to jail.”
Dad looked at me.
It was the first time Michael had linked the financial dispute to the assault directly.
“Why would my bank statements put Vanessa in jail?” Dad asked.
Michael realized his mistake.
“That's not what I meant.”
“Yes, it is.”
Dad ended the call.
Twenty minutes later, Vanessa called.
This time Dad didn't answer.
At 4:00, Detective Ruiz contacted Sam.
Police had obtained the 911 audio.
Michael's first sentence to the dispatcher was:
“My father is mentally unstable and just attacked my wife.”
He had said it before confirming whether Dad needed an ambulance.
Before mentioning the bat.
Before mentioning Dad's injury.
Before describing what supposedly happened.
Ruiz said that didn't prove conspiracy.
But it was consistent with something Dad had been saying from the beginning.
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They hadn't simply wanted police to believe Vanessa acted in self-defense.
They wanted the words mentally unstable attached to Robert Morgan as early as possible.
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