I reached out to my sister-in-law, trying not to sound worried. She responded quickly, assuring me that everything was fine. She said the kids were busy swimming, playing games, and enjoying the pool. According to her, they were simply having too much fun to check their phones.
I wanted to believe her. I told myself I was overthinking. Still, something felt off.
“Mom, please come get us,” it read. “Our phones were taken away. We need help.”
Trusting My Instincts
I didn’t call ahead. I didn’t ask for an explanation. I grabbed my keys and drove straight to her house, my heart racing the entire way.
When I pulled into the driveway, I immediately sensed that something was wrong. The house looked peaceful from the outside, almost picture-perfect. But the moment I stepped into the backyard, my breath caught.
My son was on his knees, scrubbing pool tiles with a brush far too big for his hands. My daughter was dragging a heavy bag toward the side of the house, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion.
Nearby, Mikayla lounged comfortably by the pool, scrolling on her phone without a care in the world.
I stood frozen, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
The Chore List That Changed Everything
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