After Heart Surgery, I Woke Up to Learn My Three Children Had Gone Home Because Hospital Parking Was Too Expensive. I Lay There in Tears Until a Well-Dressed Stranger Entered,

Chen says that’s not your problem today.”

I glanced toward Malcolm at the window.

“I’m not going to let you…”

“You’re not letting me do anything,” he said. “Gloria is my friend. She owes me a favor from about twenty years ago. I’m calling it in. That’s all.” Gloria had practiced Seattle elder law for thirty years, handling sons who emptied bank accounts, daughters who forged signatures, and nephews who institutionalized grandparents before selling their homes.

“Here’s what you need to understand,” she said, sitting on the edge of the