Jose phoned his father's former psychiatrist. Something was wrong with his father and he didn't know what it was.

"Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Wilson. I know you're retired, but I didn't know who else to turn to."

"Of course, I understand. How can I help you today?" Dr. Wilson asked.

"It's about my father. Since my mother died a month ago, he's been acting... strange. It's hard to explain, but he seems to be acting like my mother."

"I'm very sorry for your loss. When you say he's acting like your mother, can you give me some specific examples?"

"Well, he started wearing some of her clothes. At first, I thought it was just a way of coping with her absence. But then he started using her mannerisms, like the way she used to speak, and some of her habits, like knitting, which he never did before."

"That does sound unusual. Has he said anything about why he's doing these things?"

"Not directly. When I asked him about it, he just said it made him feel closer to her. But it's more than that. It's like he's trying to become her."

"I see. It's not uncommon for people to adopt certain traits of a loved one who has passed away, especially in the early stages of grief. It can be a way of keeping their memory alive. However, this sounds more intense than usual. "

"Exactly. I'm really worried about him. I don't want to push him too hard, but I feel like he's losing himself."

"It's important to approach this with sensitivity. Grief can manifest in many different ways. Your father's behavior might be his way of coping, but it could also indicate a deeper issue. Has he experienced any major mental health challenges in the past?"

"Not really, aside from some anxiety here and there. But nothing like this."

"Given the circumstances, it might be helpful for him to talk to a professional. Sometimes, people need a bit of extra support to navigate their grief, especially if it's causing them to act in ways that are concerning to their loved ones."

"Do you think you could talk to him? He trusts you, and maybe hearing from you would help."

"I'd be willing to have a conversation with him, yes. It might be a good starting point. We can discuss how he's feeling and explore why he might be taking on these behaviors. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can make a big difference."

"Thank you, Dr. Wilson. I really appreciate it. I just want to make sure he's okay."

"You're doing the right thing by seeking help. Let's set up a time for uour father to visit me, and we'll take it from there."

"That sounds good. I'll let him know. I think it's getting worse. I don't think he knows that he's wearing Mom's old apparel. He might think that it's his now."

Mr. Manual Vientos, Jose's father entered Dr. Wilson's home. Since the doctor was retired, on the rare occasion that he needed to see someone, he did it in the comfort of his very own home. Dr. Wilson's wife was away for the day to give her husband a little privacy.