Debra’s life had always been a balancing act between duty and sacrifice. At 52, she was young at heart, but years of hard work had taken their toll on her body and spirit. She had worked tirelessly to support her family after her husband Austin lost his job more than twenty years ago. What began as temporary financial support gradually became a lifelong expectation, and Austin had long since stopped contributing in any meaningful way.
Over time, Austin grew comfortable in his role as a dependent, spending his days on the couch with the TV remote in one hand and a beer in the other. His body changed, reflecting his lifestyle; he grew heavier, lazier, and more detached. He seemed oblivious to Debra’s exhausting daily grind, accepting it as though it were his right rather than her sacrifice.
Now, decades later, Kayla had also married young and quickly found herself raising a child alone after her husband walked out. In need of support, Kayla turned to the one person she knew she could count on—her mother. Debra began sending her daughter a regular allowance to help her raise her child, adding to her already heavy financial burden.
