Daniel stared at the table.
Rebecca’s eyes filled, though no tears fell.
“One day Emily asked me what Grandma’s job was. And Jack said, ‘She takes care of us.’”
My chest tightened.
“I love taking care of them.”
“I know.”
“That wasn’t a burden.”
“Not at first.”
The words were gentle.
Not accusing.
And because of that, they landed harder.
Rebecca looked at Daniel.
“I told him we had to change things.”
Daniel nodded reluctantly.
“She did.”
I looked at him.
“And?”
“I said you liked helping.”
I almost laughed.
“Of course I liked helping.”
“I know.”
“No, Daniel. That is the problem. You thought because I loved doing something, I must want to do it forever.”
He looked down again.
I thought of Arthur.
For forty-eight years, he had taken out the trash every Tuesday and Friday.
