Monday’s Routine

Monday arrived with its usual demands. I spent the morning in the grocery store aisles, moving on autopilot through the “everyday essentials” that kept Marcus and Sarah’s household ticking. My mind, however, was miles away, mapping out a disruption—something just jarring enough to make them pause.

Midway through the produce section, I ran into an old friend, Evelyn. We swapped stories for a moment before she looked at me with a knowing, tired kindness.

“Martha,” she said, her hand on my arm, “you have to start thinking of yourself. You’re pouring from an empty cup.”

Her words echoed in my head the entire drive home. Every familiar landmark I passed only strengthened my resolve. A subtle shakeup wasn’t just necessary for me—it was necessary for them. They needed to remember what it felt like to actually carry the weight of their own lives.