Chapter 9 - THE PETITION
The petition arrived in a thick envelope stamped with the county courthouse seal.
Sarah's declaration called me forgetful, impulsive, and vulnerable to manipulation.
She alleged that I had arbitrarily shut off her telephone, frozen vital family finances, and made false accusations after a fall.
She did not mention the stolen credit card.
She did not mention the medical report.
She described the police visit as proof that my judgment had failed.
I read the filing at the same table where I had once made her birthday cakes.
For an hour I could not speak.
Then Michael Chen outlined what the court would actually consider and how we could respond with evidence.
There would be no automatic transfer of my affairs simply because Sarah had made accusations.
I gathered the emergency-room findings, bank correspondence, incident number, and my records of routine bills.
David offered to testify.
"I won't ask you to choose between your sister and me," I said.
"I'm choosing facts," he answered.
At the hearing Sarah wore a pale blue dress and carried tissues.
Greg sat behind her, motionless.
She cried while describing the mother she claimed to be losing.
Then Michael asked her when she had last visited me to check on my recovery.
She could name no date.
He asked about the charges on the stolen card.
She looked toward Greg.
The judge reminded her to answer for herself.
By the end of the session, the requested emergency restrictions had not been granted.
The matter would proceed through proper evaluation, if at all.
Outside the courtroom, Sarah caught my sleeve.
"You embarrassed me," she hissed.
"You tried to erase me," I answered.
Greg appeared behind her carrying a manila envelope.
"Margaret," he said with a smile I had learned to fear, "you should see what the doctor wrote about Thomas's final night."
May you like
He thrust the envelope into my hands and walked away.
