At Christmas dinner, my daughter-in-law stood up and declared, “I control this family now. Your cards are shut off.”

I built the trust after your father died, not before, because I wanted you protected from the kind of men who had nearly destroyed him.”

“My father gambled?”

“Yes.”

He sat down heavily. “You told me he was unlucky in business.”

“He was. But luck was not the main problem.”

Across the room, Beverly whispered, “Margaret…”

I did not look at her. This was not continue reading …