My daughter-in-law laughed as she gave me a $2 scratch-off for my 73rd birthday. Ten months later, my own son shoved a senior living brochure in front of me and said, “We already picked your room.” They thought I was too old to fight back. They had no idea what I had been hiding.

You cannot choose my life for me.”

He nodded once.

It was a small movement, but it was the first time he’d listened without asking me to take care of his discomfort.

PART 9

My new house sat on a quiet street not far from the trail beside Lady Bird Lake.

It was a single-story brick home with a ramp discreetly integrated into the front walk, wide hallways, and a sunny room at the back where I could paint or read.

Arthur would have loved the workshop behind the garage.