Chapter 21 - My maternity leave becomes mine
Before Iris, I had planned twelve weeks away from work.
By week two, Diane had already suggested I could use maternity leave to:
Help Rachel with school pickup.
Drive Mom to a specialist appointment.
Organize Noah’s summer camp forms.
I laughed when I read the messages.
Not because funny.
Because absurdity finally became visible.
I replied:
My maternity leave is for recovery and caring for Iris. Please make other arrangements.
Mom wrote:
Of course. I didn’t mean now.
She had included dates.
Now.
I stopped explaining.
No is a complete answer, but I had spent thirty-two years adding footnotes.
I began practicing shorter responses.
Can you cover dance registration?
No.
Can you lend Rachel $800 until Friday?
No.
Can you put Mom’s flight on your card and she’ll reimburse?
Send me the reimbursement first.
Strange miracle:
The world continued.
Noah remained in soccer.
Lily danced through a lower-cost studio.
May you like
Diane purchased her own flight.
Problems that had arrived at my door as emergencies developed alternative solutions when I stopped solving them.
