Don called me later to accuse me of trying to label him as frail, but he went to the hospital anyway and was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
When Russell called me crying about the diagnosis, I reminded him of how he had treated my parents during their final days.
“I am not being heartless, I am simply being accurate,” I said when he accused me of changing into a different person.
Don passed away not long after, and while I did not attend the funeral, Hudson went because he was trying to be the kind of man who honors family.
Hudson returned with the news that Don had left his house to my son instead of leaving it to Russell or Brenda.
I told Hudson to let the house go because it was a burden, but he had a different plan that involved a moral calculation I had not expected.
During the civil case, Monica deposed Russell and forced him to admit under oath that he had no authority to destroy the house.
The children provided affidavits about how Russell had bragged that old houses were the best leverage because sentimental people would do anything to protect the past.