My Husband Put My Sick Mother on an Air Mattress and Said He Made the Rules, but What I Did Next Changed Everything

I said: yes.

I said: I’m aware.

She finished the tea.

She was tired in the specific way she was tired after any exertion now, the tiredness that settled into her quickly and completely.

She said: Sara.

I said: yes.

She said: I’m sorry you came home to this.

I said: I’m glad I came home early.

She said: I would have been fine.

I said: Mom.

She said: I would have managed.

I said: I know you would have.

I said: that’s not the point.

She looked at me.

I said: you don’t have to manage things alone anymore. You are here and I am here and you are allowed to not manage things alone.