Chapter 2 - The Mask of Senility
I walked back down the stairs,
Making sure to drag my left foot slightly,
A subtle sign of a phantom stroke they’d expect to see.
The dining room was still loud,
A cacophony of greed and pretense.
I stood in the doorway,
Looking vacant,
Letting my eyes wander aimlessly across the room.
Jessica saw me first.
She nudged David,
Her eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger.
"Arthur!" she chirped,
Her voice like shattering glass.
"Did you find your way back?
We were just telling Dr. Sterling about your... little episodes."
The man in the grey suit stood up.
He had a notepad in his hand,
And a look of professional pity on his face.
"Mr. Pendelton,
I’m Dr. Sterling.
It's a pleasure to meet you."
I blinked slowly,
Three times,
As if trying to process a complex math equation.
"Eleanor?" I whispered,
Looking directly at Jessica.
The room went deathly quiet.
A few guests exchanged looks of genuine discomfort.
David looked away,
His face flushed with a mixture of shame and cowardice.
"No, Dad," David said,
His voice shaking.
"It's Jessica.
Eleanor is... gone, remember?"
I let a single tear roll down my cheek.
"The garden," I murmured.
"I need to water the roses before she gets home."
Jessica stepped forward,
Grabbing my arm with a grip that was far too tight.
"See, Doctor?" she said,
Turning her head to the grey suit.
"He’s been like this for weeks.
He forgets where he is.
He forgets who we are.
It’s not safe for him to manage his own affairs anymore."
Dr. Sterling nodded,
Scribbling something down.
"Mr. Pendelton,
Do you know what year it is?"
I looked him in the eye,
Letting a bit of the old Arthur peak through the haze,
But only for a second.
"It’s the year of the dog," I said,
Looking at the bowl on the table.
The guests laughed,
A nervous,
Cruel sound.
"He’s actually quite funny when he’s confused," Jessica added.
I allowed her to lead me to a chair.
I sat down,
Folded my hands,
And began to listen.
I listened to them discuss my "future."
I listened to David talk about "memory care facilities."
I listened to Jessica talk about "selling the assets for his own good."
And while they talked,
I observed Dr. Sterling.
He wasn't a doctor.
I noticed the way he held his pen—
Like a man used to signing checks,
Not writing prescriptions.
I noticed his watch.
A Patek Philippe.
Too expensive for a state-appointed social worker.
He was an accomplice.
He was a lawyer,
Likely one specializing in predatory conservatorships.
They weren't just trying to prove I was crazy.
They were preparing the legal paperwork,
To seize my power of attorney tonight.
"I need to use the restroom," I said,
Interrupting Jessica’s monologue about my "deteriorating hygiene."
I stood up before she could stop me.
I walked to the hallway,
But I didn't go to the bathroom.
I went to the coat closet.
I slipped Dr. Sterling’s leather briefcase open.
Inside,
I found exactly what I expected.
A "Petition for Emergency Guardianship."
Already filled out.
Already stamped by a notary named "S. Miller."
I took a photo of the documents with my phone.
Then I saw a second folder.
"Project Sunset."
Inside were blueprints for my house,
Divided into four luxury condos.
They weren't just stealing my money.
They were planning to demolish the house Eleanor and I built.
My blood didn't run cold this time.
It boiled.
I slipped back into the dining room,
May you like
A senile smile plastered on my face.
"I'm ready for cake now," I said.
