**Diary Entry A Lesson in Respect**
Im not cooking for everyone anymorejust for myself and Annie.
Why the hell not? snapped Nicholas, furrowing his brow.
Because in this family, Ive realised its every man for himself. So live with it!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Jessica barged into the bedroom without knocking. Im going to be late for school!
Helen tried to sit up, but her head spun. The thermometer read 38.5. Her throat burned, and her chest rattled with every breath.
Jess, Im ill Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just Annies yoghurts! Jessica crossed her arms, glaring. Its always about her!
From the nursery, little Annie began to cry. Helen forced herself up, legs wobbling, her vision swimming.
Helen, wheres my striped blue shirt? Nicholas called from the bathroom.
Should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Helen leaned against the wall. Shed spent all day battling a fever while looking after Annie.
No, didnt get round to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a bloody meeting! He slammed the bathroom door.
Annies cries grew louder. Helen shuffled to the nursery, scooping her up. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.
Mum! Jessica shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Moneys on the table. Buy something on your way.
Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, feeding us is your job!
Silently, Helen carried Annie to the kitchen, pulled out frozen burgers, and set a pan on the stove.
And make pasta! Jessica commanded, eyes glued to her phone.
As breakfast sizzled, Nicholas emerged in a wrinkled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a proper tramp. Cheers for that.
Helen said nothing. Speaking hurt, and shed no energy left for explanations.
Sophies birthdays today, Jessica announced, piling pasta onto her plate. Im going round after school. Back late.
Jess, Im really poorly. Could you stay and help with Annie?
Yeah, right! Ive waited months for this party! And I never asked for a sisterthats your problem! She grabbed her bag and slammed the door.
Nicholas scrolled through his phone, shovelling food into his mouth.
Nick, could you come home early? I feel awful.
Cant. Work drinks after. You know how it is.
But Im ill
Take some paracetamol or something. Youre not bedridden. Tough it out. He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.
Helen spent the day alone with Annie. The toddler demanded attention, food, and play. She went through the motions, her strength fading. By lunch, her fever hit 39. She managed to feed Annie, tuck her in for a nap, and collapsed on the sofa, her head throbbing.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Jessica: Mum, send money for Sophies present. NOW!
Helen didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Nicholas returned first that evening, tipsy, carrying a bag of crisps and beer.
Got snacks for the match! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, please feed Annie. I cant move.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Blimey, youre red as a tomato.
High fever. All day
Well, call the GP if its serious. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill sort her. When shes up.
Half an hour later, Annie woke crying for Helen. Nicholas sighed, scooped her up.
Whats all this? Come to Dad!
But Annie only wanted her mum, wailing louder. Nicholas panicked.
Helen, shes screaming for you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
Helen dragged herself up, the room spinning. She fetched a biscuit, poured juice. Annie calmed slightly.
Jessica stormed in past midnight. Helen hadnt slepther fever wouldnt let her.
Why didnt you reply? I had to borrow money from Sophies mum! So embarrassing!
Jess, Ive been burning up all day
So? Couldnt take two seconds to text?
The next morning, Nicholas shook her awake.
Helen, get up! Ive got work, and Annies kicking off!
Her fever had broken, but exhaustion lingered. She dressed Annie mechanically.
What about breakfast? he asked.
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Myself? I dont know how! And Im late!
Youll learn.
Something in her voice shut him up. He grumbled and stomped to the kitchen.
When Helen returned, the house was a tipdirty dishes, crumpled clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today. She showered, drank tea, and slept.
That evening, the family gathered around an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Jessica asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What?
Exactly that. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Why the hell not? Nicholas snapped.
Because in this family, its every man for himself. So live with it.
Helen, whats got into you? He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im tired of being your skivvy! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you.
Jessica lied, Mum, I said sorry!
No, you didnt. Neither did your dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Jessica huffed. Are we meant to starve?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Jessica threw tantrums; Nicholas slammed doors. Helen held firmcooking only for herself and Annie, washing only their clothes.
Mum, my jeans are filthy! Jessica whined.
Washing machines there. Detergents under the sink.
I dont know how!
Learn. Instructions are on the lid.
Nicholas wore crumpled shirts to work, ate at cafés, and watched his wallet shrink.
Helen, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I dont know how!
Try YouTube. Millions of recipes.
The house descended into squalordirty dishes, dusty floors. Helen saw it but didnt intervene. Only Annies room stayed clean.
After two weeks, Jessica attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itinedible gloop.
Mum, help!
No. Learn.
Youre my mum! Youre supposed to!
My jobs keeping minors alive. Cooking you gourmet meals isnt in the contract. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.
Nicholas tried scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Tried againedible, barely.
Look, Helen! I made eggs!
She nodded and returned to her book. No praise. No fuss.
By week three, the house was a dump. Jessica sobbed over a mountain of laundry.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve washed them.
I had homework!
And I work remotely, cook, clean after Annie, take her to the park. I manage.
Youre the adult!
And you want adult privilegeslate nights, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, they cracked. Jessica learned to wash, cook basics, and tidy. Nicholas mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.
One evening, Helen returned from the park with Annie. The kitchen table was set, dinner smelled edible. Nicholas and Jessica stood sheepishly.
Mum, we made dinner, Jessica mumbled. I did salad; Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Helen said evenly.
Mum, were sorry, Jessica whispered. We didnt get it how hard it is for you.
Helen, well do better, Nicholas added. Promise.
She studied them. They hadnt changed overnight. But the fear of losing hertheir unpaid maidhad sunk in. Now they knew: push too far, and Mum might not forgive. Might leave them with dirty dishes and wrinkled shirts.
Alright, she said. But rememberIm not a servant.
