I Showed Up to Christmas Dinner in a Cast — My Daughter-in-Law Had Pushed Me, and My Son Laughed, “You Deserved It.” Then the Doorbell Rang, and I Said, “Come In, Officer.”

jokes about how much longer I’d last, counting down the days until they could access “all that money.”

Then came the day everything accelerated toward its inevitable conclusion.

It was a Tuesday in mid-December, about three weeks before Christmas. I’d gone grocery shopping, my arms loaded with bags as I climbed the three front steps to my house. I’d continue reading …