I put my life on hold to take care of my dad, but then strange things began to happen in the house. His things started going missing one by one, so I set up a secret camera. What I saw shocked me and made me question everything I thought I knew about my family.
People say that everything in life has a purpose. When we are little, our parents take care of us. But one day, it’s our turn to do that.
Some people say that everything in life comes full circle. I thought I was ready for that, but nothing gets you ready for seeing your parent fade away day by day. My dad got really sick a few months ago.
It started with being tired, then there were trips to the hospital, treatments, and a never-ending supply of medicines. When I stopped going to the office and started working from home, I was able to persuade Derek, my husband, that we should move into my dad’s house. It’s not easy to watch your parent fade away day by day.
I thought I was ready for that, but nothing is. We planned to have a child and maybe even buy a small home. But when Dad’s health started to get worse, everything had to be put on hold.
I did my best to stay strong. I would often stay in the kitchen after Derek went to bed and stare at the bills that were nicely stacked in front of me. It wasn’t easy, but I kept telling myself, “This is my dad.” He helped me a lot.
Now it was my turn. I wasn’t meant to do it by myself, though. Caleb was my younger brother, but I didn’t expect any help from him anymore.
He was selfish and careless all his life. He would skip school and sneak out at night to buy sneakers or a new skateboard with money he stole from our dad’s wallet when we were kids. “He’s just young, he’ll grow out of it,” his dad would always tell him.
I wasn’t supposed to do it by myself. Caleb didn’t, though. A few months into high school, he stole the money his dad had saved for college and ran away.
It’s been six years. Not even a phone call or a visit. That night, I brought food into Dad’s room on a tray.
“Is that you, Caleb?” “Did you turn your head?” he asked. “No, Dad, it’s me.”
“Oh,” he said quietly. “When is your brother going to be here?” “
I said, “I don’t know.” “Okay, eat a little?” “
“Thank you, sweetheart.” I want to see him again so badly.
“When is your brother going to be here?” “
I faked a smile, put the blanket over his legs, and left. Dad still missed his son, Caleb, even after all these years and hurts. But now it’s just a dull ache, the kind you stop fighting and learn to live with.
When I was younger, that preference hurt. Derek had just gotten home from work and was in the kitchen. “How is your dad today?” “
Dad still missed his son, Caleb, even after all these years and all the times Caleb had hurt him.
I told him, “He thought I was Caleb.” “I think he’d be happier if it were him instead of me.”
Derek softly put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Hey.” “Everything you can is being done. He knows that, but sometimes he doesn’t act like it. The doorbell rang before I could answer, though.
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