After losing everything in a house fire, 68-year-old Donald Harper had no choice but to move in with his son, Peter. At first, it felt like a blessing — a chance to be surrounded by family and laughter again. But as the weeks went by, doubt began to creep in.
His neighbor Mary often joined him for tea on the porch, but her words started to haunt him. “I’m telling you, Donald,” she said one afternoon, “your son will get tired of you soon. You should find a place of your own before that happens.”
Donald laughed at first, but her story stuck in his mind. She told him how living with her daughter had ruined their relationship, and Donald began to wonder if the same would happen to him.
Peter and his wife, Sandra, were in their 30s, with three energetic kids. Lately, they had been coming home later and later from work, looking exhausted. Donald loved watching the grandchildren, but he started to feel guilty — maybe he was the reason they stayed out so long.
That night, Donald sat his son down. “Peter,” he said softly, “I think it’s time I moved into a nursing home. I’ve already looked into some good ones.”
Peter frowned. “Dad, let’s not talk about that right now. We’ll figure it out later.”
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