No, my dear, I am not a carer! Anastasia hissed through clenched teeth. With all due respect to Olivia, she isnt my mother, and she has her own childrenthree of them!
Anastasia, whats gotten into you? Gerald replied, baffled. We wont be able to care for Mum properly if we approach it like this. The doctor said a lot depends on us now.
Yes, on *you*, Anastasia shot backnot on me!
Anastasia listened uneasily to Geralds voice as he spoke to his sister on the phone. She stood in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for a salad, while Gerald paced the living room with his mobile. She didnt like the tone of his voiceor was she just overthinking it?
No, her sharp hearing and intuition werent wrong. A minute later, Gerald appeared in the kitchen doorway, his face pale and his hands trembling.
Whats wrong, love? she cried, rushing to him.
Its Mum, Gerald said. Shes had an episodethey rushed her to hospital. Might need surgery straight away. Thats what Nina said, anyway. Shes in a state, can barely string two words together.
I understand, Anastasia nodded, remembering how frightened shed been when her own mother had heart trouble last year. Shed been put on bed rest, and Anastasia and her sister had taken turns caring for her.
Anastasia suggested driving to the hospital. Gerald was in no state to get behind the wheel, and she was ready to take him. But he refused, saying his sister would pick him up the next day, and theyd go together.
For a week, Olivia remained in hospital under the doctors care. Gerald visited daily, as did his older sister Nina, and his elder brother Thomas with his wife, Sarah.
Anastasia cooked for Olivia. The hospital food didnt suit her, so she asked for homemade chicken broth, steamed cutlets, and fresh salads. After work, Anastasia stopped by the market, picking the ripest tomatoes for her mother-in-laws meals.
Sometimes she accompanied Gerald to the hospital but didnt go insideno need to crowd the ward.
Theyre discharging Mum in a few days, Gerald announced one evening. Finally, we can breathe.
Yes, the worst is over, Anastasia sighed. But Olivia will need long-term care. Someone has to look after her.
Shouldnt be a problem, Gerald shrugged. I told Nina you could cook in advance, pop in before work, and stop by for a couple of hours after. Shell need bathing, feeding, medsyoull figure it out.
He said it so casually, Anastasia barely registered the weight of his words. Only minutes later did it sink inhe was casually handing her full responsibility for his sick mother.
Gerald, she said quietly, I work. Caring for her isnt a once-a-week jobits daily. At least twice a day.
Of course I know that! Gerald replied cheerfully, utterly unfazed. He sounded pleased with himself, as if hed brilliantly solved the problem of his mothers care.
Anastasia jumped up and began pacing. She hated conflict, had always been mild-manneredbut she wasnt about to let herself be trampled. She knew exactly what Gerald was trying to saddle her with.
Darling, remember last year when my mother was ill? she reminded him. My sister and I took shiftscooking, washing, massages. It was exhausting!
I know, love, Gerald said warmly. Thats why Im sure youll manage. I told Nina and Thomas as much. My wifes a treasurepractically a professional carer.
The compliment made her furious. So this was how her beloved husband saw her? And his siblings had happily endorsed this honorary title for her?
No, my dear, I am *not* a carer! Anastasia spat. With all respect to Olivia, she isnt my mothershe has three children! You, Nina, and Thomas. And Thomas has a wife!
Anastasia, come on, Gerald protested. We wont get Mum through this if were selfish about care. The doctor said its up to us now.
Yesup to *you*, Anastasia said. Not me!
Gerald shook his head. I never expected such coldness from my own wife! Ninas got a ten-year-oldhomework, meals, *and* a job. Thomas and Sarah have kids too.
I have a job, Anastasia pointed out. And a sonremember Jeremy?
Gerald scowled, displeased with her rebellion. To shame her, he reminded her his mother had stomach issuesno instant noodles for her. Who but Anastasia could cook fresh chicken soup?
Im sure Nina and Sarah can manage soup and porridge, Anastasia said. Ill print out recipes. Youll cope.
She was livid. When *her* mother came home from hospital, she and her sister hadnt hesitated. No arguments, no bargainingjust care. Why was Geralds family different?
Look, love, Gerald said when he tired of arguing, weve already discussed this. No objections until now! Youre ruining everything!
Sorry to ruin your plans, Anastasia said slowly. But you didnt discuss them with *me*.
Whats to discuss? Theyve got kids and jobsthey cant. And youve got holiday time coming up!
Anastasia smiled sadly. Shed planned that fortnight off with Jeremya trip to the Lake District, maybe her mothers cottage.
The Lakes? Mums cottage? Gerald scoffed. This is life and death, and youre thinking of *holidays*?
Anastasias breath caught. His disregard for her time stung. He cared for his siblings comfortbut hers? Sacrificed for the greater good.
Talk to Nina and Thomas yourself, Gerald muttered, turning to his phone.
Oh, how she wanted to refuse outrightleave Olivias care to her own children. But she couldnt. She cared for Olivia too. Still
In that moment, she made a decision. With quiet tact, she spoke to each of Geralds relatives, noting their schedules, even their holiday plans. Nina, she learned, had a seaside trip bookedwith no intention of cancelling.
Within an hour, Anastasia drafted a colour-coded rotafair, clear, printed out. She handed the first copy to Gerald.
Whats this? he frowned.
Your mothers care schedule, she said. Everythings accounted formorning and evening visits, bathing slots.
My names on here! Thomas tooand *Sarah*!
Anastasia nodded. Her mother-in-law had childrenwhy should *she* exempt them?
Whys Sarah listed? Shes not Mums daughter!
Anastasia stared. Was he truly this clueless?
If youve forgotten, *Im* not Olivias daughter eitheryet you dumped full responsibility on me! Does that not bother you?
Nina wont stick to this, Gerald snapped. Shes got plansa seaside holiday soon.
Then shell have to cancel, Anastasia shrugged. This isnt five daysits a month.
Gerald was stunned. The rota meant *hed* have daily visits. No more coming home to his mothers pies or stews. No cosy evenings in Dads old armchair, basking in her care.
He wanted to protestbut couldnt. The rota *was* fair. Anastasia hadnt exempted herself eithercooking, regular visits. But he hated it.
His last hope was Nina. *Shed* sort this out.
Anastasia made a group chat, sharing the rota. Chaos erupted.
Like a parents WhatsApp group, she thought wryly.
Nobody liked it. Yet it accounted for *all* Olivias childrens commitments.
I wont dance to your tune! Nina snapped. Ive got a child, a job, *plans*. Why am I on this list?
Dance to your own, Anastasia replied calmly. But this is the only way to share your mothers care. Dont like it? Handle it yourselves. Heres the diet plan.
Geralds family turned on her. He even threatened divorceshocked by his wifes *cruelty*.
Anastasia didnt protest. Fine, she said quietly.
The next day, Olivia came homeand Gerald realised *someone* had to cook her broth.
He dropped the divorce talk.
The family rejected the rota, scorned Anastasia. Nina declared she wouldnt speak to her again.
By refusing fairness, theyd made things harder for themselves.
Anastasia itched to helpbut held firm. Offer a finger, and Geralds lot would take the whole hand.
Was she right? Whos in the wrong? Share your thoughts below.
