All day long, a lethargic husband criticizes his wife for the mess in their house while lounging on the couch in the living room. One day, as he is venting to his wife once more, their 14-year-old son intervenes. A lot of things change in the household after that day.
Officer Zach Ownes’s wife, Lydia, had to take over as the family’s primary provider after he was forced to take sick leave due to a leg injury. As a nurse, she put in a lot of overtime, frequently working night shifts and up to eighteen hours a day. Zach, on the other hand, never bothered to help her and instead complained about knee pain, spending the entire day curled up on the couch.
Zach, though, wasn’t always that way. At first, he would assist Lydia with housework and prepare dinner for her after work. However, lately he’d come up with a number of reasons why he couldn’t help Lydia around the house, the most prominent being that he was “injured.”
Lydia was fed up with her stressful lifestyle and became irritated when Zach did not even try to assist her. But because she didn’t want her family to fall apart, she remained silent like every other wife. But one day, she was unable to take it any longer and yelled back at Zach.
“Hey Lydia! Come on over here immediately!” While she was occupied with helping their son Adam with his school project, Zach yelled at her from the living room. Lydia chose to take care of Adam’s project first that day, rather than making dinner and clearing the dishes after her early return from work. Zach was sipping beer and watching a soccer match with his pals.
Zach, I can’t come right now. I’m supporting Adam! Please text me if it’s important,” she answered.
Lydia thought it strange that Zach didn’t respond, since he usually would not stop yelling at her. Lydia decided to ask Zach about it later because she didn’t think it was that important. However, he stormed into Adam’s room shortly after and started screaming loudly.
“Send you a text? Do you believe that I serve you? Have you noticed the disarray in the kitchen? Who will do the cleaning?
“Excuse me?” Lydia retaliated sharply. “It’s evident that I’m occupied with something.” By the way, you and your pals created the mess. So stop shouting at me and own up to it. Zach, I’m assuming your pals have already left. So how about you assist me for once in a while? I’m working hard on Adam’s school project, as you can see.”
“Wow!” Zach gave her a nasty look. “Liz, where did you get the courage to scream at me? Are you being incited against me by somebody at work? Are you going to go there and whine about what a terrible husband I am?”
“STOP IT, ZACH!” Lydia got up with a start. “Remember that our son is observing us! Tell me, please, what’s the issue you’re having. I come home and take care of the house after working for a whopping eighteen hours every day. But you never seem to find enough! You’d rather have pasta if I made a meat pie. You’ll insist on the meat pie if I ever cook the pasta! I’m supporting Zach, our son! He’s got a competition at school coming up. For God’s sake, at least be silent. I implore you! You are poisoning the air that we all breathe!”
“Liz, please stop painting me as the villain in this scenario. Nothing you try to do is correct! You approach things with a lack of enthusiasm, which is why—” Adam got out of bed and stormed out of the room before Zach could finish speaking. Zach started making fun of Lydia once more, calling her out as a bad wife.
Adam abruptly came back into the room and dragged Zach and Lydia into the living room, indicating that he had something to show them. Zach and Lydia, bewildered, made their way to the living room, where Adam gestured for them to take a seat and turn on the television.
The TV screen blinked with a slideshow of images and videos that began, “My dream: to be like my mother.” The superhero and role model of my life.”
It turned out that Adam had selected Lydia as the subject of his upcoming competition presentation, which was to be about his role model.
Random images of Lydia cleaning the house, coming home from work late, and going straight to the kitchen were shown in the presentation. Then came a part where Adam used sign language to interview Lydia while adjusting the camera. His first query was, “Why do you always work so hard, mom?” “Why don’t you ask Dad or me to help you?”
With a smile on her face, Lydia answered Adam in sign language, meaning “It’s never difficult to do extra work for the people you love.” in the subtitles. I understand; you’re usually preoccupied with your studies, Adam. Furthermore, dad is hurt, so it’s okay if he declines to assist me.”
The questions that followed focused on the challenges she had to deal with in order to manage the household, work, and take care of a “difficult child” like him because he is deaf.
Lydia immediately responded, saying she would do anything for her family because she loved them so much. She corrected Adam after that, saying that he wasn’t a challenging child but rather a child with special needs and that she loved him in the same way that a mother loves her child.
At this point, Zach was at a loss for words, and Lydia was unable to control her tears. Pictures of Lydia and Adam appeared on the screen as the presentation came to a close, accompanied by the words, “Thank you for being such a beautiful mom so that I may be happy.” I cherish you.” Zach became aware that he had missed most of the presentation. Not a single photo of him with Adam. Nothing but compliments for him. Nothing.
Zach stood up and left the room, overcome with guilt. He was too ashamed of himself to apologize to Lydia, even though he felt awful. Taking things slowly, he asked Lydia to take a day off and set up an appointment for her to visit a salon a few days later.
After chuckling, Lydia reassured Zach. I am busy, but thank you for this. There isn’t time for this. Zach, though, persisted that she visit the salon, and in the end, she gave in.
That day, she arrived late to the salon and was afraid Zach would be furious and yell at her when she got home. Upon her return home, however, she discovered that their entire living room was dark, with a trail of rose petals covering the floor and lit candles extending from the doorway to their living room table.
She turned on the lights, and a loud voice in the room exclaimed, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYDIA!!”
Lydia noticed a cake on the table and her parents, friends, and Zach in the living room. She neglected to remember her birthday because she was so focused on her work! Then she understood that Zach had planned to take her to the parlor so he could make all the arrangements.
With a bouquet of her favorite flowers in hand, Zach knelt down in front of her. “I hope you enjoyed the surprise, my dear wife. Darling, I hope you have an incredibly happy birthday,” he said. Then he produced a box from his pocket that contained a stunning pendant made of diamonds.
He said, “May I?” and she nodded.
After the cake was sliced, Lydia opened her gifts. It had been a while since she had felt this joyful.
Zach helped her tidy up the living room and wash the dishes before going to bed that evening, and he assured her he wouldn’t treat her badly ever again. “Liz, I promise never to yell at you. Taking her hand in his, he said, “I apologize for being so rude to you all this time. You are also free to stop working. My supervisor told me I could come back to work tomorrow after I asked.
Lydia gave Zach a sobbing hug, feeling relieved that he had made a positive change. “I’m grateful, my love. I’m so glad you acknowledged and corrected your error. The nicest birthday present I could have ever received is that. I cherish you.”
Putting his arms around her, Zach said, “I love you, too, honey.” They saw Adam standing there just as they were ready to leave the kitchen.
“Honey, what happened? Did you require any assistance?” Lydia enquired.
However, Adam shook his head and expressed his pride in Zach using sign language.
Be there for people who love and care about you at all times. Zach understood that Lydia was trying so hard to keep everything in balance because she loved him and Adam, and he realized that mocking her was inappropriate.
Set a good example for your kids. Zach made apologies after realizing how much his bad behavior as a husband and father was harming Adam’s perception of him.