After 38 years working at the same clinic, I retired at 70 and brought home a strawberry cream cake to celebrate with my family—my son Thomas, his wife Delia, and my two grandkids, who all lived in the home I paid for. But instead of a celebration, I came home to find my suitcases on the porch and the locks changed. A sticky note on my luggage revealed the truth: Delia had kicked me out, booked me a room at a senior facility, and told Thomas it was my idea—threatening I’d never see the kids again if I didn’t play along.
I was stunned—but not helpless. I crossed the street to my lifelong friend Bonnie, and together we came up with a plan. We suspected Delia was hiding something, and sure enough, using a pet camera hidden on Bonnie’s cat, we caught her red-handed—having an affair with our gardener while Thomas was out of town. Her betrayal wasn’t just cruel; it was calculated. So we set the stage for the truth to come out—with a backyard screening and a projector.
When Thomas returned, I showed him everything. The footage, the note, the lies. He was heartbroken, blindsided, but believed me. Without a word, he told Delia to pack her things and leave. Finally, the house felt like mine again—not just legally, but emotionally. My son apologized for not seeing it sooner, and I forgave him. Because we’d both been manipulated by someone we trusted.
That night, Bonnie baked a pie and we picked up the grandkids together. I may be retired, but Delia learned the hard way I’m far from done. You don’t mess with Nana. Not on her porch, and definitely not in her house.