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“So do I.”
“No, you don’t.”
I froze.
“What does that mean?”
“You can sleep when they sleep.”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I got out of bed.
Luke was still screaming while Derek pulled the blanket over his shoulder and went back to sleep.
Three nights later, Mom called.
“My car won’t start. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I can’t come over.”
I looked at the twins.
Both desperately needed a bath.
“It’s okay, Mom.”
“Don’t try bathing them by yourself.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise me.”
“I’ll wait until Derek gets home. Promise.”
When Derek finally walked through the door, I met him in the kitchen.
“I need you to bathe the boys tonight.”
He dropped his keys into the bowl near the door.
“I literally just got home, Hope. Don’t you think you’re being a little ridiculous?”
“I know you just got home.”
“Skip the baths.”
“They need them.”
“Use a warm washcloth. That’s what tired mothers do.”
“Derek.”
He sighed.
“I’ve been working all day.”
“So have I.”
He looked at me as though I had said something absurd.
“Why should I have to come home and take care of the kids too?”
I stopped.
“Too?”
“What?”
“You said ‘too.’”
“So?”
“You actually think taking care of them is something I do after my day?”
“You stay home.”
“With Luke and Miles.”
“You stay home and basically do nothing all day.”
Normally, I would have defended myself.
I would have listed the feedings, diaper changes, laundry, bottles, appointments, naps, crying, cleaning, and everything else.
This time, I didn’t.
I simply said, “Okay.”
Derek frowned.
“Okay what?”
“Nothing.”
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