AFTER THE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS

Lucy, where are you off to? Max asked, surprised to see her heading for the bedroom.
To my bed, what else? she sighed, rubbing her eyes.
Youre not going to wash the dishes? he complained.

All the guests had already gone home. The NewYears party had been loud and merry, and the only other person still up was his mum, who soon drifted off to sleep as well. Lucy packed the leftovers into containers, shoved the plates into the sink and decided that was enough. Max wasnt having it.

Ill do it tomorrow! Or you can do it yourself if you like!

Dont forget, mums staying with us. I cant imagine the look on her face if she sees this mess in the morning!

Oh, Max, its not the dishes that matter. The party was a hit, we had a great time and even danced a bit. Im knackered and just want to crash. Ill wash them tomorrow, Ive got no energy left tonight.

Youre feeling a bit under the weather?

You have no idea! While you were out having a drink, I managed to tidy the whole flat, cook enough food for a small army, and even decorate the tree. Thank goodness the kids helped. You promised youd get home early and pitch in, too.

I didnt make it. The car broke down. I told you!

Right, Im telling you now Im going to bed! If you dont like the dishes in the sink, you know where the sponge and detergent are. Get on with it! Im off!

Lucy didnt argue any further. She was exhausted and just wanted to hit the pillow.

Max lingered on his phone for a while, never getting up to wash. He was a bit sleepy himself, but went to bed in a foul mood. He was worried that his mum would give him a lecture the next morning about his lazy wife, yet the kitchen chores still werent appealing.

They both woke up late on January1st theyd gone to bed around four in the morning. Aunt Margaret (the mum) had partied so hard the night before that she slept the longest.

Lucy was the first adult up. Instead of reaching for a cloth, she brewed a mug of coffee and settled down to read a story online. Thats how she always starts her day, especially on the first day of the year.

The smell of coffee drifted into the kitchen and Max stirred.

Morning! he called, glancing at the dishes. Still not washed?

Morning, sunshine! Lucy replied cheerfully. If you want coffee, help yourself, Ive brewed a pot for two on the stove.

He poured himself a cuppa and sat at the table. Remembering hed missed the cake yesterday, he sliced off a piece.

Want a bite? he offered.

No thanks, breakfast carbs are the devil. I ate plenty yesterday, Ill be on toast for the next two days. Enjoy, my lean cedar! she teased, poking fun at the little belly peeking out from his Tshirt.

Haha, Ill burn it off at the gym later!

Fine, fine, eat if you like. Its your call.

He washed down the coffee with a bite of cake and his mood brightened.

Has Molly gotten up yet? he asked about their daughter.

She got up, had her cereal with milk, then went back to bed, I think. I havent seen her, but I heard her moving.

Just then, his mother slipped into the kitchen almost silently. Max tensed, expecting a tirade, but she surprised them.

Oh my, Ive always dreamed of seeing a scene like this! Margaret said with a grin.

What do you mean? Max puzzled.

If you only knew how much of a nightmare it is to have to wash dishes right after NewYears or any big celebration. Its pure torture! Im so glad youre not like your father.

What are you getting at? I thought it would drive you mad!

Nonsense! It was actually your dad who drove me nuts about cleaning. He always insisted the dishes be done the night before, or rather, that I do them. Weve fought over it several times. I ended up washing them at night, hating every second. Ive always given in on household chores

Maxs father had died five years earlier from a heart attack. His mother had long since moved on, but now she was spouting odd memories. Max had always thought she was the one who demanded a spotless home, but her story suggested otherwise.

Mum, are you serious?

Absolutely! Your dad was a cleanfreak. It drove me mad, but he had a lot of good qualities, so I learned to live with it. Sometimes I think his obsession with spotless dishes was why he died so early he put too much weight on trivial things, like an unwashed plate after a party.

Thats a bit much, Mum!

Lucy stayed glued to her phone, barely hearing the backandforth.

No, I really believe that. My brother Gene was always worrying about insignificant stuff. Its sad. I tried to explain it to him, but thats how he was raised. Remember your grandma? She was a cleanliness fanatic and pushed the kids to be perfect. Maybe thats why he turned out the way he did. Im just saying! Margaret went on, then turned to Lucy. And you, Lucy, well done! You didnt fall for the provocation!

What? Lucy looked up from her screen, surprised to hear her name.

Good on you for leaving the dishes for the morning! Ive always wanted to do that. And you, Max, good for not pestering your wife over small things!

Yep, not pestering! Lucy smiled, recalling their little argument, but didnt want to scold him in front of his mum.

Thats how I see it! Margaret said, brewing herself a tea. The wife does all the holiday prep, the husband helps with the cleaning now and then. For fairnesss sake, you should leave him the worst part!

The worst part? Max guessed.

The most unpleasant! she chuckled, nodding toward the sink. Come on, Lucy, lets watch some telly and look through yesterdays photos. We took loads. Max, finish your coffee, then you can tackle the dishes!

Oh, Im all for it! Max, what a thoughtful and fair mum you have! Im thrilled! Lucy said with a disarming grin, getting up and taking her nowcold coffee with her.

They left the kitchen together, leaving Max alone in front of the mountain of dishes. He stared at the sink, grimaced and muttered,

Why did I even start this conversation? he scolded himself as he turned the tap on.

If his wife had been there, hed have found some excuse, but you cant argue with mum. And so a little tradition was born in their young household one that Lucy loved and Max dreaded.

What can you do? Life isnt always fair, is it?