After five years of bathing my paralyzed husband, I heard him laugh and say that I was “a free nurse.” That day I didn’t scream… that day I started taking everything off him without him noticing.

And I left the hospital with my legs trembling.

In the parking lot, I sat down inside the car.

I gripped the steering wheel until my fingers hurt.

And I said softly:

—It’s over.

I didn’t go for him that night.

I sent the ambulance.

When he arrived at the house, he looked at me angrily from the stretcher.

—Where were you? I’ve been waiting for you.

-Busy.

He frowned.

—Did you bring my bread?

I looked at him.

For the first time in five years, I really looked at him.

I no longer saw the sick man.

I saw the monster at ease.

—I forgot.

Her face changed.

—What do you mean you forgot?

I didn’t answer.

I adjusted the pillow for him.

I covered her legs.

I gave him his pills.

I did everything the same.

But inside she was no longer the same.

I started the next day.

First I checked the papers.

Invoices.

Accounts.

Scriptures.

Receipts.

Contracts.