The veterinarian told the Hendersons their dog was overweight. She said it gently. She said the portions were probably fine but someone in the house was giving treats between meals, and the kindness was doing damage.
Ruth Geller was in the next exam room with her cat. The walls were thin.
She went home and called her son. She'd been sending him money every month. Not much. Enough that he didn't have to solve certain problems, which meant he didn't. She told him she loved him and she was stopping.
He didn't speak to her for a year. Then he called from a job he'd held for three months and said he was angry but he was also employed.
The Hendersons kept giving the dog treats. The dog got heavier. The vet repeated the advice at the next visit and the one after that. It entered the file as a recurring note.
Ruth's cat was fine. Mild ear infection. Cleared up in a week.