I sat down in the vinyl armchair next to his bed and pulled the light hospital blanket up over his shoulders.

For seven years, I had tried to convince myself that Brenda was just selfish, that my mother was just timid, and that my father was just an overbearing man who wanted control of his estate.

I had put up with their sharp remarks and ignored their dismissive comments because I wanted Toby to have a family around him.

Sitting beside my sleeping son, I heard Brenda’s recorded command echo through my mind with absolute clarity.

She hadn’t simply stood by during an unfortunate accident at home.