We all wanted Rachel to understand what it felt like to have her time assigned without permission.
Taped across the wall behind them was an enormous calendar titled:
THE FAMILY FAVOR PLAN
Rachel’s name filled almost every weekend for the next three months.
Two weekends were assigned to our cousin’s four children.
One Saturday said: Drive Uncle Paul to his appointments.
Another read: Take Aunt Linda grocery shopping.
A third said: Cook meals for Mom.
Mark checked the tape holding it to the wall.
Mom twisted a napkin in her hands.
“Remember,” I told everyone, “nobody expects her to do any of this.”
Aunt Linda nodded.
“We only want her to listen.”
Rachel arrived twelve minutes late and entered without knocking.
“Sorry, traffic was—”
Then she saw the relatives, the table, and the calendar.
Her voice cut off.
“What is that?”
She marched closer and read the first few boxes.
“Why is my name everywhere?”
Nobody answered immediately.
She turned toward me.
“Did you do this?”
“We all helped.”
Her voice rose.
“You volunteered me for three months without asking?”
“That is exactly the question Mom has been afraid to ask you.”
Rachel looked at Mom, then back at me.
“This is ridiculous.”
“It’s uncomfortable,” I said. “There is a difference.”
She pointed at the calendar.
“I have children. I have a job. I can’t spend every weekend serving everybody.”
Aunt Linda leaned forward.
“Exactly.”
Rachel frowned.
Linda continued.
“You know what retirement means? It means your time finally belongs to you.”
“It does not mean everyone else gets first claim.”
Rachel crossed her arms.
“This is different. Your mother loves my kids.”
Mom spoke quietly.
“I do love them.”
Rachel spread her hands.
“There. See?”
Mom lowered her gaze.
Mark looked at his sister.
“How often have you left them with her lately?”
“Occasionally.”
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