It’s never too late to learn, Helen says, glancing at the clock as she moves around the kitchen.
Mom, have you laid out my school uniform? asks Emily, peeking into the hallway and looking over her shoulder.
Yes, its hanging on the rack, Helen replies.
Emily nods, closes the door behind her and wanders off.
Helen watches her leave and thinks, *She didnt even say thank you.* She glances at the time, jumps up from the sofa and hurries to start dinner; her husband is due home from work any minute.
In the babys cot, Lucy starts to wail. She struggled to fall asleep during the afternoon and now, awake, she looks set to be fussy all evening.
Come on, love, Helen coaxes with a smile, lets get you up and play. She sets up a playpen in the kitchen and keeps an eye on Lucy while she chops vegetables.
Mom, I need a hundred pounds, Emily bursts into the kitchen. Tomorrows Sarahs birthday and I want to buy her something.
Ill transfer it now, Helen says, stirring the pot.
Okay.
Thanks, actually? Helen snaps, unable to hide her irritation.
Thanks, Emily mutters, shooting off with a scowl.
Since Emily hit her teens, her attitude has soured. She sees Helen only as someone who does chores and as a source of cash. Helen, however, believes deep down Emily is kindhearted; adolescence is just a rough patch.
Mark finally arrives, greets everyone and drops straight into his laptop.
Sit down and eat, Helen calls, feeling fatigue settle over her. Lucy continues to whine and demand to be held, making it impossible for Helen to get a proper bite.
Tomorrow Im heading out with the lads to the pub. Well have a few pints and watch the match, Mark announces.
Ill be at Sophies tonight. She isnt having a party, just a girls night.
Helen sighs. No one has even asked about her plans. Shed love to get out, but who would look after Lucy?
Alright then, she says, though the answer seems to fall on deaf ears.
By evening Helen feels miserable, convinced its just exhaustion. She tucks Lucy into bed, then collapses onto her own mattress and falls asleep.
In the morning she realises something is wrongshes ill. She hasnt been sick since Lucy was born, and shes forgotten how dreadful it can be.
A sharp pain burns her throat as she tries to speak; a pounding headache and aching muscles follow. She manages to fetch a thermometer, which reads a scorching 38.5°C.
Wonderful, she whispers sarcastically.
Mark and Emily are already uphes getting ready for work, shes heading to school. Lucy, thankfully, is still asleep.
Just as Helen lies back down, Mark steps into the room.
Wheres breakfast? he asks, irritated.
Im ill, make something yourself, she whispers.
Right he replies.
While Mark and Emily wander the house, Helen cant drift back to sleep. Their footsteps seem louder than usual.
When they finally leave, Lucy stirs awake. The younger girl cant feed herself, so Helen swallows a couple of tablets and shuffles to the kitchen. The halfday she has spent caring for her children feels endless; her eyes ache, the headache persists, and sleep eludes her.
Emily bursts in from school, complaining that Helen didnt make lunch.
Emily, Im feeling under the weathercould you sort something out yourself? And please look after Lucy for an hour while I try to rest.
I cant! Emily protests. Im getting ready for a birthday!
Emily, Im really not well. Grandmums away and cant help with Lucy.
Mom, I never asked for a sister, sort it out yourself! Emily snaps.
The anger builds inside Helen. She has always done everything for her daughterscooking, cleaning, laundry, buying anything they ask for, never restricting them or scolding over bad grades. What does she get in return?
Emily eventually leaves for the birthday party. Helen wants to ground her but lacks the energy to argue. Luckily Lucy falls asleep, giving Helen a brief chance to rest.
She hopes shell feel better by evening, but the pain only worsens. She calls Mark, asking him to cancel his plans so someone can look after Lucy.
Mark, youve already arranged the night out. I cant just drop everything.
Im sorry, I cant.
Ask Emily.
Emilys at the party, she just told me she never wanted a sister for Lucy, Helen blurts.
Listen, try to hang in there. I really cant cancel.
She hangs up, anger strangely fueling her resolve.
Helen has always been a softhearted person, trying not to burden anyone, believing that because shes a stayathome mum she should handle everything herself. She expects the family to step in when shes in trouble, but today theyre nowhere to be found. Everyone assumes she owes them everything, and now theyve pushed her to the limit.
She barely makes it through the evening with Lucy, and as soon as she puts the little girl down, she collapses onto the bed, drained. Mark and Emily return later, chatting cheerfully in the kitchen, unaware that a silent war has just begun.
By morning Helen feels markedly betterperhaps the medication helped, or a deep sleep. She doesnt rush to get up.
Mark slips into the room, gently asking how she feels.
Fine, she answers.
So youll make us breakfast? he asks.
No.
Why not? he frowns.
From now on Ill only cook for Lucy and myself. Youll have to manage.
Are you upset? Mark sits on the edge of the bed. I got home early yesterday on purpose.
For what? We were already asleep when I arrived.
Just in case you werent.
Helen doesnt move.
Alright then, Mark mutters.
When Emily and Mark finally leave, Helen gets up, prepares breakfast for herself and Lucy, then walks to the pharmacy. She naps the child in the afternoon.
Emily returns from school and immediately asks whats for lunch.
No idea, Helen replies. Lucy and I already ate.
And me? Emily protests.
Youll have to sort yourself out. Youve refused to help me, so dont expect any from me.
Emily and Mark had hoped Helen would recover by evening; shes caring, but the resentment has grown too strong.
Mom, I need my blouse washed, Emily says later, handing over a shirt. She tosses it on the sofa instead of the laundry basket. The next morning she searches frantically for it.
Mom, where did you put it?
I havent touched it; its still on the couch.
Mom! I need it today! I told you to wash it!
I told you not to expect any more help from me, Helen snaps.
This isnt fair! Emily yells.
Mark joins in, upset that his shirts arent ironed.
In this family everyone looks after themselves, right? Helen shrugs.
For a whole month Helen avoids all chores except caring for Lucy. Mark and Emily learn to cook, use the washing machine and iron. The house becomes a mess, but Helen, staying at home, tolerates it without demanding anything.
After a month, Emily and Mark finally give in. They cook dinner, invite Helen to the table and apologise. Helen remains skeptical of their sincerity, yet she knows theyve learned a lesson: a mother wont swallow a grudge forever, and misbehaviour will eventually bite back.
