Instead of complaining, I took the bags to the laundry room and emptied them on the floor.
I separated everything into four heaps: Vanessa’s, Josh’s, the kids’ and a fourth bunch of things I couldn’t identify.
Then I put each pile in a different basket and labeled them:
VANESSA.
JOSH.
KIDS.
OTHERS.
I put the detergent next to the washing machine and went outside.
I didn’t wash anything.
That night, Vanessa went down to the basement.
Seconds later, I heard her screaming.
“What did you do?!
We all come down.
“Why is everything dirty still?!” he demanded.
I separated it for you.
“But you didn’t wash anything!
“No.
“We have to leave soon!”
I know.
“What are we supposed to do with four bags of dirty clothes?!
I pointed to the washing machine.
There’s the washing machine.
He stared at me.
