Chapter 1

My mother had already decided I would spend Christmas watching five children while everyone else enjoyed the holiday.

She never asked.

She simply called and said, "You are the responsible one, Jessica. We knew you would handle it."

My name is Jessica, and I was twenty-seven when I finally understood that being called "the responsible one" was not always a compliment.

Sometimes it was a job description nobody planned to pay you for.

Two weeks before Christmas, Mom called with her usual cheerful tone.

"Perfect timing. I have Christmas figured out."

I looked at the half-packed suitcase beside my bedroom door.

I had been saving for months for a four-day beach trip.

Nothing extravagant.

Just four days that belonged to me.

"Your sister and your brother are bringing the kids," Mom continued. "They really need a break. You can watch them while everyone gets things ready."

"Mom, I'm going away."

A small silence.

Then she laughed.

"You can move that."

"No. The flight is booked."

"Jessica, you're single. You don't have children. You're flexible."

That word landed harder than she intended.

Flexible meant movable.

My plans could be moved because everybody else had "real responsibilities."

"I'm not agreeing to babysit."

Mom's tone cooled.

"Don't make Christmas difficult."

Then she hung up.

The next evening, the family group chat lit up.

Mom had posted a long Christmas schedule.

And directly beneath it:

Jessica will handle the kids so everyone else can focus on hosting. Thank goodness we have her.

I had never said yes.

My sister responded first.

You're a lifesaver, Jess.

Nobody asked me.

They thanked me for something I had not agreed to do.

I opened my airline app and pressed the final payment button.

BOOKING CONFIRMED.

Mom called again two days later, insisting I had come around.

I said nothing.

She hung up, mistaking silence for surrender.

On December 23, I woke before sunrise.

I sent Mom one message with my boarding pass attached.

May you like

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I never agreed to babysit. I am leaving for my trip today.

Then I switched my phone to silent and boarded.