Two sisters, Catherine and Susan are both in their early 60’s. They’re both very different from one another. One is very materialistic and a real man magnet. She dresses well, and has always married well. The other is more laid-back and androgynous. She takes life as it comes.
Their mother has had a stroke, and is unable to care for herself anymore. The severity of the situation has put the two sisters at odds with one another as to how to deal with the demise of their mother.
Catherine is on the phone with her older sister Susan. They’re struggling with the care of their mother.
Catherine-
I know you’ve done a good job taking care of mom… I’m not arguing about that. But I don’t understand how you can keep asking for more and more money, when her expenses are so low. Her pension alone as close to $2000.
Susan-
I have to do the shopping I have to do the cooking I have to care for her 24/7. You think that’s easy? Then you take her and you’ll see what it’s like.
Catherine-
I know you’ve given up a lot. I’m not arguing that. But you’re already getting close to $3000 to take care of her.
Susan-
Well, then we can just put her in a home. Then you’ll see what kind of care she gets. Believe me, she’s got it made here. She’s got her own bedroom, she goes swimming everyday, and I feed her well.
Catherine-
And now you want $7000 for draperies? You and Dave have two homes already. Why you need $7000 for draperies is beyond me. You knew what you were getting into when you purchased a second home. Didn’t you budget for draperies?
Susan-
Mom said that she would like to help me out with the draperies.
Catherine-
You mean you made it seem like a good idea that mom helps you out with the drapes. Mom had a stroke. She doesn’t remember anything. She says yes to everything. If you asked you to jump off a bridge she think it was a good idea.
Susan-
Well, it’s mom’s money and she can do with it whatever she wants to.
Catherine-
And if you deplete her account, then what? She might have some hefty medical expenses down the road. Who’s going to pay for that?
If mom was in her right mind she’d put a stop to this. She put me in charge of her finances before she had a stroke because she knew that I would do the right thing.
She knows that you’ve always cared about money more than anything. You even had dad wrapped around your thumb, remember? Why is it that you were the only one who got a new car when you turn 16? And now you’re looking at mom’s trust like it’s your own personal bank account. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Susan-
Do you have any idea what I’ve had to go through taking care of her?
Catherine-
Yeah life must be tough in your five-bedroom home, with your country club memberships and your fine wine collection. I wish I had it’s so tough.
Susan-
Mom loves it here. She’s told me so herself.
Catherine-
Mom will say yes to anything right now including caving into whatever you demand. She’s in a survival mode right now. What’s she going to do, protest? For all I know you probably just leave her sitting in chair all day.
Susan-
You are so ungrateful. You get to go to your cushy job all day meanwhile I’ve had to give up everything.
Catherine-
Yeah and you’re depleting mom’s account handsomely in your giving up of everything.
Susan-
You’re an ungrateful bitch.
Susan hangs up the phone