The Weight Of Her Obligations

Synopsis

For twenty years I cared for my mother-in-law in her vegetative state, draining away my youth until I became a tired, hollow-faced woman. But as soon as my brother-in-law flew back from overseas, he laid claim to all of her assets. My husband tried to soothe me by saying, "He's my younger brother. Life abroad hasn't been easy for him. Giving him the house is only fair." I looked at the pair of them, who were assured of what they believed they deserved, and I smiled. Then I took out the key to my mother-in-law's room and placed it in my brother-in-law's hand. I said, "Mother needs to be washed, turned over, massaged, and cleaned up every day. Since you're inheriting everything, this duty should be yours now."