because Rachel always needed “just a little help” with dinner.
That meant peeling potatoes, chopping vegetables, setting the table, entertaining my grandchildren while she dressed, and making whatever side dish she had forgotten.
Rachel’s mother usually arrived just before dinner carrying wine—or nothing.
Brenda was never asked to chop onions.
Never asked to scrape casserole dishes.
Certainly never told to clean while everyone else relaxed.
At first, I made excuses.
Brenda lived farther away. Brenda had a bad back. Brenda was a guest.
The obvious problem was that I was
