An Ambulance Took My Mother to the Hospital—When I Returned for Her Medical Folder, I Found My Mother-in-Law Moving Into Her Apartment

Small cactus.

Bag of gourmet coffee.

Card.

Mom read aloud:

For the next time you leave your apartment unattended. The cactus can guard it. I promise never to volunteer again. —Ophelia

Raul looked terrified.

I waited.

Mom stared at the card.