On the phone, the housekeeper said, "June, when you come back, could you buy some blood pressure medication for Mr. Rand? He hasn't taken any for three days. After finishing the last batch, he hasn't bought more. I offered to help him, but he wouldn't let me, saying the medication doesn't work."

The housekeeper knew my dad could be stubborn at times, and my mom couldn't persuade him, but he listened to me. I was the only one in the family who could manage him, which is why the ...