“What is wrong?” I asked my daughter when she came home, tears streaming down her face. “Grandpa Joe call– called m-me stupid,” she cried, and for a moment, I saw red Anger boiled inside me as I comforted her, knowing I couldn’t just let this slide. Determined to stand up for my daughter, I decided to confront my father-in-law about how his words hurt my daughter. However, what he did next left me speechless… Before I could leave to confront him, however, I needed to make sure that my daughter was okay. “Hey, sweetheart, I don’t think Grandpa knows what he is talking about. He hasn’t seen the A’s you have been bringing home,” I said, trying to console Emily in her saddened state. The poor girl was hiccuping through the tears, and it made me wonder if “stupid” had been the only crude thing he had said to her. She stopped her hiccuping, and I saw a very faint nod. “I-I to-told him a-about m-my A-A’s,” she stuttered, “Af-ter th-that he became m-mean.” I frowned at this, now feeling a new type of pressure to do something about this issue. We’ve had problems with Joe’s antics before, and today might just be the last strike. I engulfed my little girl in a hug. Regardless of how fast she grew—she was already 16, for crying out loud—she would always be my little girl. I would protect her like a mother bear would her cub, and today was one of those days when I had to. Joe always had something to complain about—about me, about Wren, about the state of the world. That would stop today. Joe had always been like this, sure, but it felt like he was attacking Wren for no reason other than that she was my daughter. When I went to marry my now husband, people always told me to be careful of mother-in-laws. Daisy, my mother-in-law, was an absolute dream. It was why I hadn’t seen Joe and his nasty behavior coming. I wanted to rush off to their home, but I knew that I couldn’t let my emotions get the better of me in times like these. “It will be alright, darling. I will talk to Grandpa for you,” I told her, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. It proved near impossible, but it was the first step in reeling in my emotions. It gave me the ability to think clearly, as I knew just what to do with Grandpa Joe. After Wren went to her room, I immediately grabbed my phone. Sure, I remained close to Wren if she needed me, but I knew that the best thing for her was to do one of her hobbies and have a little think. I could continue to coddle her and tell her how Joe didn’t know what he was talking about, but my words could only do so much. Right now, I knew that this call would help her than any of my words ever could. “Yello, Mark speaking,” the person answered, and I frowned. Did I put myself on anonymous or…? “Leave a message after the dial tone,” a female, robotic voice said, and I rolled my eyes. “You stupid fuck…” I muttered as I heard the dial tone. I hung up after that; my frown was now even more prominent. What was I supposed to do now? It was like a lightbulb lightning above my head like I had often seen in cartoons—a real eureka moment if I say so myself. I dialed again; knowing him, I knew exactly what he had done. He was a big “Do Not Disturb” abuser, and this time, I could hear it connect. I didn’t even notice that I was holding my breath. That was, at least, until I heard his voice. “Hi honey, is everything okay?” Mark asked, his voice one of concern at my, what he would deem, emergency call. “I hate your voicemail,” I grumbled, but that only made him laugh. I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t even see me. “However, this actually is important. It is your dad, again, might I add. He told Wren she was stupid. I don’t know why he would say it, but I know we have to do something about your Dad’s behavior.” “Honey, I know my dad can be a little harsh sometimes, but he is more of a tough love type of guy,” Mark said, but I wouldn’t stand for him waving it off. “No, Mark. This isn’t normal, nor is his way of ‘loving’ people. Wren came back home crying, CRYING. That is not some weird tough love thing; that is bullying.” I chastised him. We had to be on the same page about this, and we would surely need it during my actual conversation with Joe. Mark sighed heavily on the other end of the line. “There’s something you should know about my dad,” he began, his tone shifting to something more serious and almost fearful. I could feel the tension rising. “He’s been acting strange lately—more erratic than usual. I found something in his study last week. It’s…hard to explain over the phone. Just…. please be careful when you talk to him. Promise me you won’t go alone.” “What the hell are you talking about, Mark?” I demanded, my grip tightening on the phone. He hesitated, clearly torn. “I’ll explain everything when I get home,” he said. His voice was urgent, but evasive. “No, Mark. You need to tell me now,” I insisted, but he was resolute. “Please, just wait until I’m back. I promise it’ll make sense.” Frustration bubbled inside me as he hung up, leaving me with more questions than answers. Knowing Mark was away on a business trip only fueled my agitation. I couldn’t just let this slide until he got back. “Mark, I can’t wait,” I texted, my fingers tapping furiously on the screen. “This is about our daughter.” The thought of letting another day pass while Joe’s words festered in Wren’s mind was unbearable. I had to act, and I had to do it now. No more delays. I texted Mark again, trying to convey the urgency. “Joe insulted our daughter. Wren needs to know I’m in her corner.” My words were sharp, filled with the protective fury only a mother could understand. Mark’s attempts to pacify me felt like betrayal. Wren needed immediate reassurance that her parents wouldn’t stand for such cruelty. I had to show her she wasn’t alone in this. I wouldn’t let her down. Mark tried to object, his messages coming in fast. “You’re overreacting. Let’s talk about this calmly,” he pleaded. But I was too angry to listen. His dismissive tone only fueled my rage. Without thinking, I ended the call, practically slamming the phone down. The anger boiled within me, a mix of frustration and helplessness. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t taking this seriously. My priority was Wren, not smoothing things over with Joe. My hands shook as I clutched the phone, trying to calm myself. The anger was almost too much to contain. I took deep breaths, attempting to steady my racing heart. I couldn’t let this fury cloud my judgment. Wren needed me to be strong and clear-headed. I knew what I had to do. Confronting Joe wasn’t just about today’s incident—it was about setting boundaries once and for all. A minute later, my phone started ringing again. I glanced at the screen and saw it was Mark calling me back. My initial reaction was to answer, but then I hesitated. Did he really think he could smooth this over with a phone call? The anger from our last conversation still burned hot. My finger hovered over the screen for a moment before I decided what to do next. I declined the call and put my phone on Do Not Disturb. Resolute in my decision, I knew I couldn’t let Mark’s excuses distract me. This wasn’t a conversation for over the phone, especially with him away. I needed to show Wren that I was here, right now, ready to stand up for her. She deserved that much, and I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way. Determined to keep my promise, I went upstairs and softly knocked on Wren’s door. I heard a faint, “Come in,” and pushed the door open gently. Wren was sitting on her bed, her face still tear-stricken. My heart ached seeing her like this. “Hey, sweetie,” I said softly, stepping into her room. “I just wanted to check on you and let you know I’m handling everything, okay?” She told me to come in, her voice weak and her eyes still red from crying. “Mom, is everything going to be okay?” she asked, her voice quivering. I sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I promise you, Wren, I’m going to talk to Grandpa Joe. This isn’t okay, and I won’t let him hurt you like this again.” She nodded, but the sadness in her eyes broke my heart. “I’m going to Grandpa Joe’s to have a word with him,” I told Wren, trying to sound as calm and confident as possible. She nodded, still teary-eyed but with a glimmer of hope. “Thank you, Mom,” she whispered. I gave her one last hug, feeling her cling to me tightly. It was a moment that solidified my resolve. I had to make this right for her, no matter what it took. Wren’s eyes glistened as she thanked me for standing up for her. “Thank you, Mom,” she whispered, giving me a tight hug. I could feel the relief in her embrace, and it only fueled my determination. “I’ve got this, sweetie,” I assured her. She held on a moment longer before letting go, her tear-streaked face showing a glimmer of hope. I gave her one last squeeze before heading downstairs. I left the house, my mind set on confronting Joe. Getting into my car, I entered Joe’s address into the GPS, my fingers moving with purpose. As the engine roared to life, I took a deep breath. This drive wasn’t just about distance; it was about gathering my resolve. I had to be strong for Wren, and that strength started with this first step. As I drove, I rehearsed what I would say to Joe. My mind raced, a mix of anger and determination swirling inside me. “How could you?” I imagined myself saying, my voice steady and firm. I pictured every possible response he might give, preparing my counterarguments. I needed to be ready for anything, to make it clear that his behavior was unacceptable. This wasn’t just about Wren—it was about setting boundaries. In the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake Mark’s warning. What had he found in Joe’s study that was so urgent? The cryptic nature of his words gnawed at me, adding an edge of unease to my anger. What could be so bad that he couldn’t explain over the phone? I shook my head, trying to focus. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t change my mission today. I questioned why Mark didn’t want me to talk to Joe alone. His insistence on this point felt off, adding to my sense of unease. Was it just about Joe’s recent behavior, or was there something more? As the miles passed, I tried to push these doubts aside. I had to stay focused on the task at hand. Whatever Mark’s concerns, I had to handle this now. I arrived at my in-laws’ home and knocked on the door, feeling my heart race. The familiar house loomed before me, but today it felt different, almost menacing. My mind whirled with what I would say, how I would confront Joe. Each second felt like an eternity as I waited, my anger and anxiety mingling into a tense determination. This had to be done, and it had to be done now. Daisy, my mother-in-law, opened the door, looking confused to see me. “Oh, hello dear,” she said, her brow furrowing in surprise. “Is everything alright?” Her voice was gentle, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. I forced a tight smile, trying to keep my composure. “Hi Daisy. I need to talk to Joe about something important,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t press too much just yet. I explained that I was there to talk to Joe about Wren, and Daisy’s confusion turned to concern. “What’s happened? Is Wren okay?” she asked, her voice now tinged with worry. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger in check. “Joe said something really hurtful to her, and I need to address it,” I replied. Daisy’s eyes widened, and I could see she was starting to grasp the seriousness of the situation. I told Daisy that Joe had called Wren stupid, and her face mirrored my anger. “He what?” she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. “Why would he say such a thing?” Her shock quickly transformed into a shared fury, and I felt a grim satisfaction knowing she was on my side. “I don’t know, but it’s unacceptable,” I said firmly. “We need to talk to him right now.” I asked Daisy how she didn’t know about this and where she was during Wren’s visit. She sighed, looking guilty. “I was at the store when Wren came over,” she admitted. “I had no idea any of this happened.” Her remorse was evident, and it added to the weight of the situation. “Let’s go find him,” she said, determination in her voice. We had to get to the bottom of this, together. Together, Daisy and I walked inside the house, heading towards the back door. She led me to Joe’s hobby workshop, where we found him working on a project. The smell of wood and sawdust filled the air, mixing with the tension I brought with me. Joe didn’t look up immediately, focused on his task. Daisy’s presence beside me was reassuring, a silent promise of support. Joe looked surprised to see us, sarcastically asking what he owed the pleasure of our visit. “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” he drawled, putting down his tools. “What brings you two here?” His tone was casual, almost dismissive, as if he had no idea of the storm brewing. My anger simmered just below the surface, ready to boil over at any moment. Daisy’s hand on my arm reminded me to stay focused. I pointed my finger at Joe, telling him he was on his last straw, barely containing my anger. “This has to stop, Joe,” I said, my voice shaking with restrained fury. “You’ve crossed the line for the last time.” Joe raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my directness. “What are you talking about?” he asked, but I wasn’t in the mood for his games. The time for politeness was over. Joe acted clueless, and I felt my anger rising as I prepared to confront him. “Don’t play dumb, Joe. You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I snapped. His blank expression only infuriated me further. “Wren came home in tears because of you.” His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked it with indifference. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said coolly. My patience was wearing thin. I ripped into Joe, telling him Wren had come over earlier and he had made her cry. “She was here, Joe. You called her stupid and made her cry,” I said, my voice rising with each word. “How could you say that to her?” Joe’s face twisted in confusion and frustration. “I never called her stupid,” he retorted, glancing at Daisy for support. But Daisy’s silence spoke volumes, and I pressed on. Joe told me he hadn’t done anything and rudely suggested I should have toughened her up myself, calling her a crybaby. “Maybe if you weren’t coddling her, she wouldn’t be such a crybaby,” he spat, his words like venom. My blood boiled at his callousness. This wasn’t just about Wren anymore; it was about respect and decency. Joe’s dismissive attitude was the final straw. My anger erupted as I came to my daughter’s defense. “Wren is in the top of her class, Joe! She’s anything but stupid!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the workshop. “Why would you insult her like that?” Joe looked taken aback by my outburst but didn’t back down. “I never called her stupid,” he insisted, but his words felt hollow. I demanded an explanation, refusing to let him off the hook. Joe denied calling Wren stupid, looking confused and frustrated by the accusation. He glanced at Daisy, seeking her support, but she remained silent. “I don’t remember saying anything like that,” he muttered, his brows furrowed. His confusion seemed genuine, but it didn’t lessen my anger. “Well, Wren didn’t make it up,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “She was devastated, Joe. You need to take responsibility for your words.” Daisy told Joe he was alone in this, and I felt a flicker of hope that she was on our side. “Joe, you’ve gone too far this time,” she said firmly. “I believe Wren.” Joe’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting Daisy to side with us. The solidarity between us gave me strength. It wasn’t just my fight anymore; it was ours. Joe needed to understand the impact of his actions. Daisy intervened, telling Joe he should apologize, further angering him. “Joe, you need to apologize to Wren,” she said, her voice steady. “This isn’t right.” Joe’s face turned red with fury. “Apologize? For what? I didn’t do anything wrong!” he shouted, his anger boiling over. The tension in the room was palpable, but I stood my ground. Daisy’s support was crucial, and together we would make Joe see reason. Joe erupted with anger, smashing a cup on his workstation, denying the accusations. “I never said that!” he shouted, shards of porcelain scattering across the floor. His face was flushed with rage, eyes wild. The sudden violence took me aback, but I stood my ground. Daisy flinched beside me, the tension in the room thickening. Joe’s denial was loud, but it didn’t drown out the truth. He claimed he was being set up and insisted he didn’t remember saying such things. “This is ridiculous! You’re all ganging up on me!” Joe’s voice was a mix of anger and desperation. He pointed a trembling finger at me. “You’re trying to make me the bad guy here, but I don’t recall saying anything to Wren.” His outburst was both defensive and unconvincing, leaving me more determined to get to the bottom of this. Joe suggested Wren blew things out of proportion, and I felt a pang of hesitation. “Maybe she misunderstood,” he muttered, his tone less aggressive but still deflective. For a brief moment, doubt crept into my mind. Could Wren have misinterpreted his words? But then I remembered the pain in her eyes, the tears streaming down her face. No, this wasn’t a misunderstanding. Joe was just trying to avoid responsibility. I remembered Mark’s warning, taking a step back as Joe’s outburst continued. Mark had sounded genuinely concerned about Joe’s recent behavior. Watching Joe now, I couldn’t ignore the signs. Something was off. His anger seemed disproportionate, almost irrational. “Joe, this isn’t just about today,” I said cautiously. “Mark mentioned you’ve been acting strange lately.” His response was a mix of confusion and more anger. I changed the conversation, asking Joe what was going on with him lately. “Joe, we need to talk about what’s really happening here,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “Mark found something in your study. He’s worried about you.” Joe’s anger flickered, replaced by a flash of uncertainty. “What did he find?” he asked, his voice softer now. Daisy looked at me, her concern mirroring my own. The truth felt closer, but still out of reach. Joe looked confused, and I told him Mark didn’t recognize him anymore. “Joe, Mark says you’re not yourself lately. He’s worried,” I said gently, hoping to reach through the anger. Joe’s confusion deepened, his brows knitting together. “What does that mean?” he asked, the frustration still there but muted. “It means we’re all concerned. This isn’t about blaming you, it’s about understanding what’s going on.” I told him that Mark had informed me of something he found in the study and for Joe to explain himself as to where these emotional outbursts came from. “Mark found something in your study, Joe. He said it was serious,” I pressed. Joe’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of fear crossing his face. “What did he find?” he muttered. “We need to know what’s causing these changes,” I insisted. Daisy admitted she noticed changes in Joe too, but neither knew what Mark found in Joe’s study. “I’ve seen it too, Joe,” Daisy said softly. “You’ve been different, more volatile.” Joe looked between us, bewildered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stammered. “I’m the same as always.” But the concern in Daisy’s eyes mirrored my own. We needed answers, and we needed them now.  Joe claimed he had no idea what I was talking about, looking genuinely puzzled. “I swear, I don’t remember anything like that,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I haven’t done anything wrong.” The confusion and fear in his eyes were real, but it didn’t change the facts. “Joe, we’re trying to help,” I said softly. “Whatever’s going on, we need to understand it.” I turned around and headed back to the house, determined to find out the truth. “Wait!” Joe called after me, but I didn’t stop. Daisy followed close behind, her worry palpable. “We need to see what Mark found,” I said over my shoulder. The urgency pushed me forward, my steps quickening as I approached the study. The answers were somewhere in that room, and I was going to find them. Joe tried to stop me, saying it was personal and private, but I moved quickly. “You can’t go in there!” he shouted, but I was already halfway down the hall. “It’s private!” His voice carried desperation, but I was determined. Daisy’s footsteps echoed behind me as I approached the study door. Whatever Joe was hiding, it was time to bring it to light. My hand turned the doorknob, and I pushed inside. I dashed through the house and entered Joe’s study, searching for clues. The room was cluttered with papers, books, and various knick-knacks. My eyes scanned the space, trying to make sense of the chaos. I had to find whatever Mark had discovered, the key to understanding Joe’s behavior. My heart pounded as I began rifling through the mess, knowing time was short. I rifled through various letters and papers, finding nothing at first. Old bills, notes, and receipts littered the desk and shelves. Frustration built as I dug deeper, my hands moving faster. Where was it? The crucial piece of information that would explain everything. Papers fluttered to the floor, my urgency growing with each passing second. I couldn’t leave empty-handed, not after coming this far. Joe and Daisy burst into the study, Joe demanding I leave, but my eye caught a letter. “Get out!” Joe yelled, his face red with anger. Daisy looked torn, her eyes pleading for calm. But then, I saw it—a letter peeking out from under a stack of books. The bold lettering on the envelope stood out. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I pulled it free. I grabbed the letter, recognizing the word “Alzheimer” and feeling a shock of realization. The world seemed to tilt as I processed the word. Joe’s outbursts, his confusion—it all made sense now. My heart ached for him, for Wren, for all of us. “Joe,” I whispered, looking up at him. His expression shifted from anger to a deep, weary sadness. The truth was out, and it changed everything. The letter revealed Joe had early-stage Alzheimer’s, affecting his memory and causing emotional outbursts. Reading through the document, it was clear why he had been acting so erratically. The diagnosis explained everything, from his sudden anger to his confusion. “Oh, Joe,” I whispered, my heart breaking. He stood there, looking lost and vulnerable. This wasn’t just a family issue—it was a medical one that needed understanding and compassion. I asked Daisy if she knew, and she looked shocked, denying any knowledge of it. “I had no idea,” she stammered, her eyes wide with surprise and concern. “Joe, why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice was trembling, and tears welled up in her eyes. Joe’s silence was deafening, his shame and fear palpable. We both turned to him, waiting for an explanation that would make sense of this new reality. Joe admitted he knew but didn’t think it was that bad yet, wanting to be treated normally by his family and friends. “I didn’t want to worry anyone,” he said quietly. “I thought I could handle it.” His shoulders slumped, and for the first time, I saw the weight he had been carrying. “I just wanted things to stay normal for as long as possible,” he added, his voice breaking. The gravity of the situation hit me as we all processed the news together. The room fell silent, the air thick with emotion. Daisy put a hand on Joe’s arm, her eyes filled with tears. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This was a turning point for our family. We needed to support each other and face the reality of Joe’s condition. “We’ll get through this,” I said softly. Joe apologized for keeping the truth from us, promising to apologize to Wren. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice filled with regret. “I’ll talk to Wren. She deserves to know the truth.” His sincerity was clear, and I felt a flicker of hope. This was the beginning of healing, not just for Wren, but for all of us. We had a long road ahead, but at least now we were on it together. When Mark returned home, he and Daisy came over to explain Joe’s condition to Wren. We all sat down together in the living room, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Mark gently took Wren’s hand and began, “Sweetie, there’s something important we need to tell you about Grandpa Joe.” Daisy nodded in support. “Joe has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s,” Mark continued, his voice steady. Wren’s eyes widened with a mix of surprise and concern. Joe sincerely apologized to Wren, who accepted his apology with understanding. “I’m so sorry, Wren,” Joe said, his voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t even realize what I was saying.” Wren looked at him with a maturity beyond her years. “It’s okay, Grandpa,” she said softly, hugging him tightly. “I understand now. We’ll get through this together.” Joe’s eyes filled with tears as he held his granddaughter close. Together, we prepared to face the difficult road ahead with Joe’s Alzheimer’s. We discussed plans, doctor’s visits, and how to support Joe as a family. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” Mark said, determination in his voice. Daisy nodded, her hand resting on Joe’s shoulder. “We’re in this together,” she affirmed. The road ahead was uncertain, but knowing we had each other made it a little less daunting. Our family united, determined to support Joe and each other through this challenge. We set up a schedule to ensure Joe was never alone, each of us taking turns to be with him. Wren even offered to help with simple tasks, eager to be part of the support system. The strength of our bond was evident in every small act of kindness. Together, we faced the future with hope and resilience, ready to tackle whatever came our way.