W and I have agreed that she picks up the girls in the morning and takes them to school. I pick them up after school and take them home. Normally she waits outside.
This morning she comes in the house to talk to me. She starts going on about how, if she could afford it, she'd hire a maid to come here once a week to help me out cleaning the house because I need the help, then she says she can't afford it so would it be ok if she came by and cleaned the house today?
Now, the house is not really 'dirty'. It needs to be swept and vacuumed but that's about it. The kitchen is always clean, no dishes anywhere.
The conversation went something like this:
Me: Well, it really just needs to be swept and vacuumed and some dusting. I'm planning on doing that this weekend.
W: (somewhat in earnest) I know, the girls don't help you and I know you are working all the time, and taking care of the girls. I just want to help.
Me: I feel like you're saying that I'm not keeping the house clean enough, it's not that bad.
W: No no, I think you're doing great. I just want to take some of the burden of taking care of the girls off you. I think they feel better when the house is cleaned.
Then D13 called her because she had to go to school, so she had to end the conversation.
So, W calls me about 15 minutes later.
W: This is W's cleaning service, can I come and clean your house?
Me: Well, I think I can handle it.
W: (Now crying) Frank, you're doing everything. You're working hard, you're taking care of the girls, and you're doing a great job of that, but I'm doing nothing. I feel so guilty because I'm not doing anything. I'm not doing any of the things I normally do for the girls. I know you need the help, please let me come and clean the house so when the girls come home it's 'magically been cleaned'. (Still crying)
Me: Well, ok. I could use the help and I appreciate the offer.
W: (still tearful) Thank you, I even have a maid outfit.
Me: Oh really, that would be interesting.
W: Well, you know, maids wear sweat pants and t shirts.
Me: Oh, I thought you meant a French Maid outfit.
W: (laughs) Oh, you couldn't afford a French maid.
Me: Yeah, I'll have to save my pennies for that.
W is coming over at 10 to clean. I could use the help so it'll be great.
