Exhausted Single Mom of Twins Wakes Up to Find Her Kids’ Lunchboxes Packed and Kitchen Cleaned
Bev is a working mother of twin boys who is frequently worn out. But after a particularly demanding day, Bev is left hardly able to function. When she wakes up the following morning, expecting to finish the chores she neglected the previous evening, she finds that they have already been completed. Who, though, actually done it?
These days, juggling work, tending to my active twin boys, and doing housework has become a daunting task. I just feel like I’m running on fumes at the end of the day. With my six-year-old twins, Jake and Liam, by my side, survival mode has taken over as my go-to setting.
It was quite stressful last night. I stayed up late in an attempt to clean the kitchen and get ready to pack the boys’ school lunches, but I soon gave up.
“This will be tomorrow’s problem,” I sighed to myself.
In an attempt to start the day ahead of schedule, I set my alarm for an early wake-up.
I told myself as I slipped into bed, “I just need a day.” “I just need to breathe.”
As I fell asleep, I heard my boys snoring softly in their bed.
I hated the chores that awaited me when my alarm went off the following morning and I dragged myself out of bed. I cherished my boys. Being a mother pleased me. And I enjoyed taking care of them.
But I came to a stop as soon as I entered the kitchen.
“What on earth is this?” I uttered out loud.
I was shocked to see how well-kept and shiny the kitchen looked after such a thorough cleaning. Two well packed lunchboxes with wholesome snacks and small notes for my boys were visible to me on the counter.
I was in disbelief and had no idea who could have done this.
“Yes!” I tried to disguise my actual emotions by lying. “You’re growing boys and need snacks.”
The guys gave me a beaming expression.
“Now, you eat your cereal and then we’ll get you both dressed for school.”
I looked around the home while the boys were busy, but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Furthermore, why would someone break into my house and pack the kids’ lunches?
I said, “Maybe it was Mom,” picking up the phone to give her a call.
She answered, “No, honey,” when I told her what had transpired. “I haven’t visited yet. I had planned to visit this evening. Perhaps it was your amiable elderly neighbor. She is devoted to the guys.”
“Maybe,” I said in agreement.
“However, Bev, you must ensure that your doors are locked. Even if this person is just trying to look out for you, it’s not safe. Are you certain that everything else in the house is in order?”
Saying, “Let me check,” I spoke.
I glanced at all of our pricey possessions as I moved around the living area. Everything was neatly arranged, including my laptop, our sound system, and the television.
“Yeah, everything is here and fine!” I stated.
I made a smoothie for myself as I waited for the boys to finish their breakfast. My eyes suddenly welled up with tears of appreciation and relief—I understood that someone had gone above and above to support me just when I thought I was going to lose it.
For me, this was very important. This was about someone extending their hand to assist me in caring for my kids.
Their generosity provided me the push I needed to start my day, even though I had no idea who the mysterious helper was.
I told my friend Mel what had happened when I arrived to work.
While preparing coffee, she remarked, “I don’t understand why you’re not freaked out, Bev.”
“Because nothing was seized! Nothing seemed out of place or lacking. The dishes had just been finished and put away, and the kitchen was spotless. Additionally, the boys’ lunch was arranged. It was really charming.”
“That’s right, Mel.” “Moreover, I’m glad someone did it. However, I believe you ought to talk to the police. You have two small children, Bev. You must not consider this a given.”
I gave a nod.
I had never considered it from that angle previously. I didn’t believe that our attacker was out to get us. On the other hand, I also didn’t want to place my boys in danger.
“All right,” I said to Mel. “I’ll look into it further.”
I didn’t want to call the cops just yet, though. It felt unpleasant not knowing who had been in my house after Mel had said that.
The following morning, I made the decision to rise earlier and hide in the pantry. Everything that was hidden behind the kitchen door would be visible to me.
I whispered to myself, “Probably should have brought my phone along,” as I glanced at the device resting on my bedside.
A moment later, there was a noise coming from the window.
I watched as a man climbed inside and the window was opened from the outside from where I was hiding. After starting to wash the dishes, he got to work on the kids’ lunchboxes.
“Who are you?” I pushed the door open and demanded.
The man seems surprised.
“Please refrain from phoning the cops. Alex is my name. I understand that this appears odd, but there’s a good cause.”
I wavered. I was standing near the house phone, and if I moved quickly enough, I could make the 911 call in an instant. I wanted to hear the man out, though.
“Then you need to explain right now,” I replied.
The man inhaled deeply.
“I’m Alex, and I doubt you’re familiar with me. However, I was famished and homeless a few months ago. I was also strolling by your driveway. I was about to give up because I hadn’t eaten in days.”
I gave a nod. I had a hazy memory of the conversation.
“Well, you hurried inside to fetch me some water and food. It was that good deed that gave me hope. And then, as your boys were getting ready for school, they went outside to the automobile.”
I gave Alex a smile.
“I was able to make my interview at the ice cream store after that,” Alex went on. “I’m gradually getting back on my feet because I now dwell in a room at the back. Sometimes I go by this place and I see that you appear worn out. I desired to assist. I couldn’t think of a better way to accomplish that than this.”
“But why come through the window?” With caution, I inquired.
He said, “I didn’t want to scare you or intrude.” “I reasoned that it wouldn’t be as intrusive as coming to your door so early. It seemed like the most effective technique to assist without upsetting you.”
With a sigh, I released the tightness in my shoulders.
“You need to have just gone to the door and told them what was going on. You creeping about isn’t safe for either of us.”
Alex gave a nod.
“I recognize. I simply had no idea how to approach them without coming across as obtrusive.”
I was unsure of my emotions. On the one hand, Alex had never made the boys lunch before, until yesterday. However, I had already noted how tidy the living room and kitchen were. I was simply too exhausted to admit that I had done it the previous evening.
However, I wasn’t convinced it was secure to let a stranger come and go as they pleased.
“Thank you, Alex,” I expressed. “I appreciate your help more than you can imagine, but going forward, kindly enter through the entrance. We’re able to work out a means for you to assist without having to break in.”
A sigh of relief crossed his face.
“I appreciate your understanding. That would be nice,” he remarked.
Alex was a pleasant presence in our home after that day. In between working, he became a friend to the boys and myself, helping out wherever he could.
He knocked on the door every morning, and as he cleaned up and made lunches, we would talk and drink coffee.
How would you have responded in that situation?
