He visited every few months.
Usually, he brought cookies from a grocery store.
He stayed less than an hour.
He spent half that time checking his phone.
Margaret never complained.
At least not in front of him.
One afternoon, Sophie passed Margaret’s room and heard Nathan’s voice through the phone.
“Mom, the staff told me you made another scene about taking a shower.”
Margaret sat on the edge of her bed.
Her shoulders stiffened.
“It wasn’t a scene, Nathan.”
“Well, just cooperate.”
Nathan sounded irritated.
“I’m paying a lot of money for them to take care of you.”
Margaret looked down.
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Nathan continued.
“I can’t keep taking time off work every time you decide to throw a tantrum.”
Silence followed.
Then the call ended.
Margaret kept staring at the dark screen.
She did not cry.
She did not complain.
She simply sat there.
