Feeding Henry had taken longer than imagined. When I finally put him back to sleep, Helga had already done all the dishes. I felt like a slacker, abusing my cooking skills and the stay of a recent friend. It was not what I wanted.
"Thank you for your patience, Helga," I asked, trying to look for something I could do to help her. "I promise I'll wash the dishes for lunch and dinner tomorrow," I said.
"Lacey, don't torture yourself so much, you are going through a lot, and I completely understand that. Calm down, you're not in anyone's way, you're very welcome here. Relax," Helga ordered. She was a mature and well-lived woman. I felt like a child wishing to be like her when she grew up. "Something tells me that apologizing is a common thing on your part," she said. "Does it proceed?"
"Wel
