— Mariana, for five days you didn’t cook, clean or help with anything. Please don’t give your opinion.
He stood with his mouth half open.
Doña Carmen pursed her lips.
— That’s not how you talk in front of children.
— So maybe they should have behaved like adults —I replied.
There was a heavy silence.
Diego sighed deeply.
— Valeria… The apartment is like this because I couldn’t handle everything. It’s not easy. The children are demanding, my mom complains, the food is expensive and I…
— Exactly —I looked him straight in the eyes—. That’s exactly how I felt. Only I did it every day. Alone.
I entered the kitchen. The sink was full, the stove dirty, the refrigerator almost empty.
— Valeria —Doña Carmen started—, we are not used to…
— I know —I said calmly—. They are not used to doing anything.
Lupita shifted uncomfortably on the couch.
— Maybe we should leave earlier, Raúl…
— Yeah —he murmured—. I think it will be the best.
Doña Carmen sighed theatrically.
— If we get in the way…
— They’ve been in the way for a long time —I said—. Only before I stayed silent.
Diego looked at me for a long time. For the first time I was not defensive. He seemed… embarrassed.
—I ordered food every day —he said—. I spent more than I thought. I didn’t know where anything was. My mother got angry, the children wanted something else… I really didn’t realize everything you did.
— Now you know —I replied.
Mariana stood up.
— I didn’t think it was that serious…
— Because you didn’t care —said.
Doña Carmen approached me.
— Valeria, maybe I was very harsh. But we are family.
— Family is not taking advantage of someone —I responded—. Family is respect.
That same night they started packing their bags.
There were no screams. There were no tears. Just a tense silence and suitcases crawling down the hallway.
Before leaving, Doña Carmen turned to me.
— I didn’t mean to hurt you.
— I know —I said—. But they still did it.
The door closed.
Diego and I were left alone in the empty and messy apartment.
— I’m ashamed —he said quietly—. I was unfair. I thought it was normal. That you… could do everything.
— I could because I had no other option —I responded—. But I don’t want to live like this anymore.
He sat on the edge of the chair.
— I don’t want to lose you.
— Then listen to me —I said—. From now on: no one stays here without my consent. The expenses are distributed. Cook and clean too. And if someone treats me like a servant, I’m leaving. Without explanations.
He nodded.
