By the time I left for Oregon, Sandra had found an online estate-sale company. They planned to remove larger pieces while I was gone, photograph them and sell what they thought I “didn’t need.”

They insisted they never planned to empty the whole house.

As if stealing only part of someone’s home was somehow comforting.

I asked Elaine whether I could remove Tommy from my will.

“Of course,” she said. “But do you want to?”

My first instinct was yes.

Then I stopped.

I realized I did not want to use my estate plan as a weapon while I was furious.

So instead, we changed the things that needed immediate protection.

I installed cameras.

Changed every lock.

Added an alarm.

Then I changed my financial power of attorney.

Tommy had previously been first.

Not anymore.

I also changed my healthcare proxy.

Not because I thought stealing meant he would intentionally harm me.