He didn’t look for work, showed no interest in anything, just complained about his life. And her mother-in-law regularly repeated: «He’s disabled, you must support him, pity him. You’re his wife.» On the other hand, Emily noticed that Alex didn’t even try to exercise his muscles, didn’t do physical therapy, didn’t look for remote work options. All he did was go out once a day for a solitary walk as prescribed by the doctor for an hour and a half to two hours, then lie back on the couch and turn on the TV.
Emily had grown accustomed to living in survival mode. Day after day, she got up early, went to work. Then in the evening, she returned home, where endless chores awaited her…
Once, a few years ago, Daniel Johnson, her boss at the production, mentioned corporate vouchers for a wellness retreat that were offered once a year to the best employees. «Emily, you need to rest, you always have excellent results, take this opportunity for yourself,» he said, handing her a document with a list of available resorts. Emily glanced at the papers but immediately returned them.
Vacation was something distant and unreal for her. She couldn’t afford to relax when Alex waited at home, who couldn’t manage without her. But then she had another idea.
«Can I get this voucher for my husband?» she asked. Daniel Johnson raised his eyebrows in surprise but nodded. Emily explained that Alex had serious health problems, and the retreat would help him recover.
That’s how the tradition started. Almost every year, she asked to send not herself, but Alex to the retreat. He went for treatment, and Emily stayed working, as always.
Deep down, she hoped it would help him, that after such trips he would feel better, be able to find at least a small side job. But after each return, everything repeated. Alex grumpily declared that the retreat was a waste of time, that nothing helped him, and doctors just shrugged.
He lay back on the couch, complained about life again, fully depended on her. But Emily continued to hope. One workday, Emily was called to Daniel Johnson…
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