When His Mother Moved In, Everything Shifted
A few months ago, Ben’s mom Sharon had a minor stroke.
She recovered well, but she needed help day-to-day—meds, meals, small tasks, a steady routine.
Sharon wasn’t the nightmare mother-in-law people joke about.
She was kind. Private. The type who apologized for needing anything.
When we asked her to stay with us during recovery, she hesitated.
“Cassie, I don’t want to burden you,” she said.
I meant it when I answered: “You’re family. Let us help.”
But reality hit fast.
I worked from home two days a week. Ben adjusted his schedule “when he could.”
Still, gaps remained—long gaps.
And that’s when Ben proposed the solution.
“We should hire a part-time caregiver,” he said, like it was obvious.
It sounded reasonable. Responsible, even.
Then he added one detail that should’ve made me pause longer than it did.
“I already found someone.”
He “Already Found Someone”
Her name was Lena. 28.
Ben said she came recommended by a colleague. He used words like “amazing,” “patient,” “sweet.”
He even said: “She’ll be like a daughter to Mom.”
Something in my stomach tightened.
I couldn’t tell if it was jealousy, caution, or just the sense that the script was moving too fast.
Then he told me the cost.
About $1,000 a week for part-time work.
I stared at him. “That’s steep.”
He didn’t blink. “She’s worth it. Mom deserves the best.”
He handed me a folder with credentials.
On paper, it looked fine.
In my gut, it didn’t.
Still, I let trust win.
Lena started the following Monday.
And from the moment she stepped into our home, the air changed.
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