When I saw my eight-month pregnant wife washing dishes alone at ten o’clock at night, I called my three sisters and said something that left everyone

“Yes I did,” I replied.

She shook her head slightly. “I do not want to cause problems in your family.”

I squeezed her fingers reassuringly. “Natalie, you are my family.”

Nobody said anything. Then something unexpected happened. My mother stood up from her chair and walked slowly toward the kitchen doorway. For a moment I thought she was going to criticize Natalie.

Instead she picked up the sponge from the counter and spoke calmly.

“Sit down and rest,” she said.

Natalie looked confused. “What do you mean?”

My mother sighed. “I will finish the dishes.”

Everyone in the room was surprised.

My mother turned to my sisters and said firmly, “Why are you all standing there?”

Amanda frowned slightly. “Mom?”

“Come to the kitchen,” she replied. “The four of us will finish cleaning.”

For a moment nobody moved. Then Lauren stood up with a quiet sigh. Melissa followed. Amanda was the last one to walk into the kitchen.

Soon the sound of running water returned, but this time there were several voices speaking at once.

Natalie looked at me and whispered, “Why did you do all of this?”