On the morning of my wife Sarah’s crucial job interview, everything seemed perfect. After years on maternity leave caring for our daughter Sofia, Sarah was finally getting a chance to return to her career. We were both excited but nervous.
Before leaving for the interview, Sarah reassured Sofia about her first day at daycare. “Daddy will pick you up today, sweetheart,” Sarah promised, trying to ease Sofia’s apprehension.
After dropping Sofia off, I took Sarah to her office building and wished her luck. Everything was on track until I received a frantic call from my mother-in-law, Linda. “John, you need to come over right now!” she insisted. Her urgency made my heart race as I imagined the worst.
I decided to visit Linda, thinking I could handle both the emergency and picking up Sofia later. When I arrived, I was met with Linda calmly sipping tea on her porch, looking smug.
“What’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my composure.
Linda launched into a tirade about how Sarah was neglecting Sofia by sending her to daycare. “If you don’t pick Sofia up, Sarah will have to leave her interview,” Linda declared.
Realizing this was a manipulative ploy, I forced a smile. “You’re right. Let’s discuss this inside.”
As Linda went inside to make tea, I noticed her house keys on the hallway table. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed the keys, locked the door behind me, and sped to the daycare.
When I arrived, I found Sofia in tears. I comforted her and took her with me to pick up Sarah. Sarah was relieved to see us, but concerned about Sofia’s distress.
After dinner, I returned to Linda’s house. Speaking through the locked door, I told her, “If you want the key back, you need to promise not to interfere with our decisions about daycare. Otherwise, I’ll let Sarah know how you acted today.”
Linda grudgingly agreed, and I handed her the key. “Since you’re so concerned about daycare, you can babysit Sofia five days a week,” I said. “I’ll drop her off tomorrow morning.”
Stunned, Linda tried to protest but I left her speechless. Driving away, I felt a sense of satisfaction, hoping this would make her reconsider her meddling in our lives.
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