Chapter 1 - YOU THOUGHT I HAD DEMENTIA?
Amber Vale already had one hand twisted in Richard’s thinning silver-gray hair when she shoved his face toward the bowl.
Wet dog food filled the porcelain dish.
Richard jerked against the restraints binding him to the heavy dining chair.
“Eat it!”
His fingers locked around the chair arms.
Caleb stood near the fireplace with a wine glass.
He watched.
Did nothing.
Amber pulled Richard’s head back by his hair.
“That’s all you’re good for now.”
Richard looked at his son.
Caleb lowered his eyes.
That hurt more than Amber’s hand.
She forced Richard forward again, stopping his face inches above the bowl.
“No one will even remember a man like you.”
Richard stopped fighting.
Amber laughed.
She thought he had surrendered.
Instead Richard flexed his right wrist against the loosened cloth restraint.
Once.
Twice.
Free.
He straightened.
The tremble disappeared from his shoulders.
Amber turned.
Richard rose halfway from the chair and slapped her once across the face.
Sharp.
Adult to adult.
Amber stumbled one step sideways.
“What the hell?!”
Richard sat upright again.
He wiped his mouth slowly with the napkin Caleb had placed beside the wine decanter.
Then he looked directly at Amber.
No confusion.
No wandering eyes.
No weak smile.
His voice was clear.
Steady.
“You thought I had dementia?”
Amber froze.
Caleb’s wine glass stopped halfway to the table.
Richard looked at his son next.
“And you?”
Caleb swallowed.
“Dad—”
“No.”
Richard’s voice remained quiet.
“Before you explain why your wife tied me to a chair, answer the question.”
Caleb could not.
Amber did.
“You’ve been confused for months.”
Richard smiled faintly.
May you like
“Have I?”
The dining room suddenly felt very small.
