I called Mom while I was shopping and asked, “Should I bring chocolate cake or apple pie for Christmas?” – Welcome

“What’s this?”

“A list.”

I almost laughed.

She smiled.

“Open it.”

Inside was the original chore sheet she had pushed into my hands months before.

Breakfast at six.

Fresh sheets.

Bathroom cleaning.

Hand-washed clothes.

Every absurd demand was still written there.

But she had crossed out every line.

Underneath, she had written:

**Things Evelyn never owed me.**

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