Ryan suddenly appeared in the doorway of the bathroom.
He asked me if I could make the children quiet down.
I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and told him I was trying my best.
He complained that he had an important meeting early the next morning.
I reminded him that there were three babies and only one of me.
He said he understood, but his tone was cold.
I begged him to help me with just one of them.
He leaned against the wooden doorframe and let out a long sigh.
He told me that he worked hard all day at his job.
I looked at him and said that I worked all day too.
He reminded me that I got to stay home instead of going to an office.
I let out a tired laugh that had no real happiness in it.
I asked him what he thought I was doing with my time all day.
He said that since I was a homemaker, the house was my sole responsibility.
I insisted that the children belonged to both of us.
I asked him to please just pick up one crying baby.
He looked toward the nursery as the crying grew louder and more frantic.
He shook his head and said that he needed his rest.
I whispered that I needed sleep just as badly as he did.
He told me it was different because I did not have to commute to an office.
He turned around and walked back to his warm bed.
I stayed on the cold floor until the crying sound changed.
Then I stood up and went back to work.
An Unexpected Announcement
Two days later, I was carefully preparing formula in the kitchen.
Ryan walked into the room with a bright smile on his face.
He was looking at his phone and seemed very excited.
He announced that his friend had found a beautiful rental house by the water.
I kept scooping the powder into the bottle without looking up.
I asked him what he was talking about.
He said it was for the annual beach trip with his friends.
I stopped what I was doing and lowered the plastic scoop.
I asked him what trip he was referring to.
Ryan opened the refrigerator to look for a drink.
He said he was leaving the next day with his friends for five days.
That was when I noticed the large black suitcase sitting by the front door.
I asked him if he had already packed his bags.
He admitted that he was almost completely ready to go.
I asked him when he had planned on sharing this information with me.
He casually told me that he was telling me right now.
I looked out toward the living room where our children were playing.
Luna was happily kicking her legs under her colorful play gym.
Bodhi was chewing on a soft book while sitting on the rug.
Soleil was starting to make fussy noises in her infant seat.
I asked him how he could book a long trip without discussing it first.
He shrugged and said his friend had reserved the place weeks ago.
I told him we would need to hire some help immediately.
