“At first I asked you. You said yes. Then I kept bringing more stuff and started telling myself that you didn’t care. Eventually, I just stopped asking you.
Even after I told you I did care?
He made a grimace.
“No.
“And ‘You’re home all day anyway’?
His eyes filled with tears.
“It was horrible.
“Yes, it was.
I know.
I looked at Josh.
“When he said that, you stared at your plate.
I should have said something.
“You should have.
He nodded.
I’m sorry, Mom.
Then I looked at Vanessa.
I probably would have helped you if you told me the truth. If you had told me that your father needed you and that you were overwhelmed, maybe he would have washed one or two loads. Maybe I would have taken care of the kids while you helped him.
“But you didn’t ask for help. You assigned me a job.
“What hurt me was not the clothes. It was that you decided that, because I’m retired and I’m home longer than you, my time didn’t matter.
Vanessa wiped her tears.
“I’m sorry.
I turned to Josh.
“And you should apologize, too. You let her overload herself because everything kept on doing.
He nodded.
I didn’t realize how bad it was.
She told you.
I know.
He looked at Vanessa.
“You’re right.
Then I pushed his basket towards him.
-Okay. Start with that.
I pushed Vanessa’s basket toward her.
You take care of yours.
Then I pointed out the children’s clothes.
“You two split that one.
Finally, I played the fourth basket.
“And you two find out how they’re going to help your father.
Vanessa nodded.
“And you?”
“Me?
“Aren’t you going to help?”
I smiled.
Tonight, no.
For the rest of the afternoon, Josh and Vanessa did the laundry.
Both of them.
He put his clothes in the washing machine while she sorted it. She passed one load to the dryer while he folded another.
At one point, Josh lifted one of the children’s shirts.
Is this going to the dryer?
Vanessa stared at him.
“You don’t know?”
“No.
“Then I guess tonight you’re going to learn two lessons.
Even I laughed.
While the machines were working, we talked.
Not perfectly. Not calmly for every second.
