“He didn’t want anyone to know yet. He made me promise not to tell him.
He explained that his father had been having difficulty taking care of his house. The stairs had become difficult for him, sometimes he forgot to eat and the clothes Dirty was building up. She had been passing by after work, buying food, checking her mail, helping him with the move and emptying his old house.
The irritation he felt did not disappear, but something changed.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” I asked.
Vanessa let out a tired laugh.
Because everybody needs something from me.
He looked at Josh.
“Dad needs me. The kids need me. The house needs me. Someone has to remember the appointments, buy the food, prepare the dinner, fill out the school forms and realize when the detergent is running out.
“I help,” Josh said quietly.
Sometimes.
He seemed offended.
I do more than that.
“You take out the garbage and you cut the lawn.
I pick up the kids.
“On Tuesdays.
Josh was silent.
Vanessa’s voice trembled.
I’ve been telling you for months that I’m exhausted.
I knew you were stressed.
“No. You knew she said she was stressed. As everything kept on doing, you decided that I should have everything under control.
That phrase stuck with me.
Everything kept on doing.
Josh had taken Vanessa’s effort for granted because she was still doing the work.
Vanessa had taken my time for granted because I was still washing the clothes.
Each of us had looked at the person who did the work and had thought: He is handling it.
I turned to Vanessa.
If you were so overwhelmed, why didn’t you ask me for help?
She looked down.
Because you could have said no.
I didn’t expect that.
