A note on the table when I returned from the hospital with my newborn seemed like a sweet note from my mother-in-law. She charged $600 for watching our dog while I was in labor. My husband promised to talk to her, but I had a better plan.<\/p>\n
A few days before labor, I lay on the couch attempting to manage my dull lower back pain, which was getting worse.<\/p>\n
Rich, my golden retriever, kept his head on my lap, his large brown eyes observing me like he knew something was up. I rubbed behind his ears, appreciating his calmness.<\/p>\n
\u201cJake!\u201d I contacted my spouse, my voice strained as another wave of discomfort hit.<\/p>\n
Jake stacked turkey and cheese on a sandwich in the kitchen, eyebrows crushed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, babe?\u201d he said without looking up.<\/p>\n
I sighed. We must decide what to do with Rich at the hospital. Can we ask your mom for help?\u201d<\/p>\n
My baby was a week overdue, so we had an induction the next day. I was ready to be done with this mess.<\/p>\n
Jake came over with a sandwich and kissed my forehead. Don\u2019t worry, Doris. Mom adores Rich. She\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was my spouse. He dismissed most problems with a simple solution. I loved him for his optimism, but it often got on my nerves.<\/p>\n
That might be hormones and my pain. I responded, \u201cAlright,\u201d sitting back in the cushions. \u201cJust make sure she knows it\u2019s only for a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jake told his mother Abigail about the situation later that night. Without hesitation, she consented. He hung up, beaming. \u201cShe eagerly offered assistance. Problem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n
I suppose that\u2019s plenty for me.<\/p>\n
Jake and I packed our hospital suitcase that night and said goodbye to Rich the next morning. Kneeling, I scratched his fluffy head by the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe a good boy for Grandma, okay?\u201d His tail wagged in understanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about anything,\u201d Abigail smiled and sent me out. \u201cI just wish I could be at the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was a minor issue. We asked our family not to attend the hospital. After a difficult pregnancy, I needed my husband during labor.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t want anyone else there if something went wrong.<\/p>\n
Abigail said she understood, but she may have been salty.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, you know our wishes,\u201d Jake said, smiling to soften his comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d she said. Your modern kids! Go have my grandchild.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Abigail,\u201d I said, and we left.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
I was never induced. My water broke upon entering the hospital. This was awful, so mothers should talk about labor more with each other and their daughters.<\/p>\n
I spent hours clutching the hospital bed rails as my sole connection to reality. Between contractions and nurses\u2019 constant prodding, I feared I was going crazy.<\/p>\n
Jake held my hand and tried to calm me, even though he looked like he was one contraction away from fainting out.<\/p>\n
When they put my son in my arms, all the pain and tiredness vanished. The little, wrinkly man was lovely.<\/p>\n
Jake and I cried stupidly. We were amazed to have had this baby. The hospital was our happy place for three days.<\/p>\n
I felt relieved when we could go home. Our infant was delicately brought through the hospital doors to the parking lot.<\/p>\n
After Jake called Abigail to say we were discharged, she said she would give us a few days to settle in before meeting the baby. She was really kind!<\/p>\n
As we pulled into our driveway, I considered sitting on the couch and introducing Rich to his new sibling. It was supposed to be perfect\u2026but not.<\/p>\n
When we entered the kitchen, I saw a folded paper on the table. My heart raced when I thought Abigail left us a nice \u201cWelcome Home\u201d note.<\/p>\n
I carefully adjusted the baby in my arms and opened it, thinking, \u201cCongratulations on your new bundle of joy!\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, the note said:<\/p>\n
Pay me $600 for feeding and walking Rich. My time costs. You have my financial info.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at it, thinking I was misreading it. But no. It existed. My mother-in-law demanded dog-watching pay.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t mind paying for things like that, but she was family and never discussed charging us.<\/p>\n
I shouted \u201cJake,\u201d sharply. He set down the car seat in the living room. \u201cYou might want to come see this.\u201d<\/p>\n
He entered, glanced at the note, and groaned. \u201cAre you serious?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDead serious,\u201d I waved the paper at him. \u201cYour mom\u2019s demanding money for taking care of Rich while I was pushing your child out of my body.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jake looked disheartened as he stroked his hair. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to her,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said, halting him. \u201cI\u2019ll handle this.\u201d My mind was already planning something other than silently paying up.<\/p>\n
Abigail visited the infant a week later. She arrived smiling, kissed Jake\u2019s face, and cooed over my son like a loving grandma.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, he\u2019s precious,\u201d she remarked, holding him. \u201cHe has Jake\u2019s nose.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nearly thought she was visiting her grandson. She stopped acting when she gave me the baby.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d she murmured, rubbing her hands. \u201cWhen will I get paid? I\u2019m done waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
I held my baby and stared at her. My smile remained. Of course, Abigail. On one condition, I\u2019ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eyes narrowed. \u201cCondition? Which condition?\u201d<\/p>\n
I took a folder from the computer desk between the kitchen and living room. I spent the past few days recalling every time Jake and I helped her.<\/p>\n
Every favor and dollar we spent on her (except presents) was documented.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d I said, opening it, \u201csince you\u2019re charging us for your services, I figured it\u2019s only fair we do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
I slid the packet toward her on the table. Abigail leaned over, suspicious. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can think of it as an itemized invoice,\u201d I added lightly. \u201cYou know, like professionals do.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she grabbed the paper and read my writing, she paled.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s see,\u201d I said, tapping the paper. Assisted with house moves last year? The cost is $800. It\u2019s cheaper than regular movers, so call it a family discount. Your transmission failure cost us money to fix your automobile. That cost $1,200. I babysat your neighbor\u2019s kids for free at your request? That\u2019s about $600.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like a fish, Abigail\u2019s mouth opened and closed. \u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cYou can\u2019t charge me for things family does for each other!\u201d<\/p>\n
Crossing my arms, I raised an eyebrow. \u201cExactly,\u201d I responded, sternly. \u201cThe family helps each other for free. I thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n
She struggled to argue but mumbled. \u201cBut this is different! I rearranged my schedule to care for Rich!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I had to rearrange my entire life to have your grandchild,\u201d I shrugged. \u201cSo if you want to talk about fair compensation, I think we\u2019re more than even.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abigail got beet red. She stood there staring at me like she couldn\u2019t believe it. Without saying anything, she turned around and went out, slamming the door so hard the baby fussed.<\/p>\n
Jake, who had been quietly watching from the kitchen, shook his head with a faint grin. \u201cNo one should mess with my wife,\u201d he hugged and kissed my cheek.<\/p>\n
I laughed as we parted. \u201cYou got that right,\u201d I teased, sitting on the couch with the infant.<\/p>\n
Rich came over, tail wagging, and rested his head on my knee. Looking down at the bundle in my arms, I rubbed his ears.<\/p>\n
That moment brought me peace. While Abigail may not have learnt, she wouldn\u2019t bother us about that $600 again. If she did, well\u2026 Still had the folder.<\/p>\n
Let her test me.<\/p>\n
A 30-year-old mother carrying a blanketed newborn on a couch with her husband beaming | Source: Midjourney
\nA 30-year-old mother carrying a blanketed newborn on a couch with her husband beaming | Source: Midjourney<\/p>\n
Another tale: David sought a DNA test for his son, and Amelia felt their marriage was in danger. However, the findings went beyond paternity. A stunning twist changed David\u2019s connection with his mother forever.<\/p>\n
Inspired by true events and people, this work is fictionalized for creativity. To preserve privacy and enrich the story, names, characters, and facts were changed. Any resemblance to real people, events, or places is unintentional.<\/p>\n
The author and publisher neither guarantee event authenticity nor character characterization and are not liable for misinterpretation. While this work is presented \u201cas is,\u201d the characters\u2019 viewpoints do not reflect those of the author or publisher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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