Chapter 9 — After Divorce, I Counted 10 Years as a Nanny

“I just didn't expect you would go to this extent.”

“I didn't expect it either.” I looked at him, my voice calm, "I used to think that even if you no longer love me, you would at least have some conscience left. But you made me understand that not everyone has a thing called conscience."

He stood there, as if he had been stabbed straight in the chest. But this time, I am no longer soft-hearted. The first month after my divorce, I bought myself a new mattress. Soft, thick, lying down felt like there was finally something to support my back. The second month, I re-did my nursing certificate. The third month, I was promoted to nursing leader of the center. Ms. Duong said I have a stability in my body that many young people do not have. I know, it's not a natural talent. That is the bravery that was forced out during ten years in the Chu family. Before, everything was given to others, not worth it. And now, they have finally returned to me. News from the Chu family still comes from time to time. Vuong Le and Chu Minh Huy quarreled more and more fiercely, because her mother-in-law was discharged from the hospital and had no one to take care of her, and the cost of hiring a nurse each month was several thousand. Chu Minh Huy regretted spending money and wanted Vuong Le to quit his job and take care of his family. Vuong Le immediately threatened to divorce. My father-in-law criticized the nurse's food for not being delicious. He scolded me every day, but scolded me. There was no one else like me that year, patiently blowing each spoonful to cool it and then feeding it to him. The most annoying person is the mother-in-law. In the past, she always thought that if she could hold me, the whole family would obey her wishes. Now that I'm gone, she discovered that the family is not missing a daughter-in-law, but is missing a pillar. The funniest is Tran Nghien. It is said that after Chu Minh Xuyen's assets were divided and the economy was stressed, Tran Nghien quickly broke up with him. The house he rented for her was also returned. Someone told me these stories and secretly looked at my face. I just nodded, not angry, not sad. Because once you step out, you will no longer hate bad people and things anymore. They suck, it's their fate. You awake, it's your number. When winter is coming, the center takes on a new project, testing home care services for the elderly. Ms. Duong gave me the plan.

“Do you dare accept it?”

I flipped through a few pages and my heart suddenly beat faster. This is something I'm familiar with. Home care procedures, diet for the elderly, risk assessment, nursing training. Ten years in the Chu family turned out not to be a waste. The nights of changing diapers at three o'clock in the morning, the busy meals and medicine tables, the times of falling, the times of staying up all night, the times of crying and then wiping away tears, all, in this moment, found a new footing. Ms. Duong laughed.

“I know, you should have been in this position a long time ago.”

The project is progressing very smoothly. I started training new people, interacting with more families. Some people get angry, some people use money to put pressure on them, some people criticize it for being expensive and nitpick. But compared to the Chu family, all of those things are insignificant. Because no matter how fastidious they are, they still have to follow the contract, still have to pay, and still know how to say "it's been hard work". Unlike the Chu family, who drains your life and criticizes you for not understanding enough. On New Year's Eve, I was on duty for half a day. At night, I returned to my small house to pack dumplings. On TV, the New Year's program is bustling, outside Fireworks explode from time to time in the windows. I sat alone at the dining table, but I didn't feel lonely at all. The phone rang, it was an unfamiliar number. I answered the phone, on the other end of the line was Chu Minh Xuyen's voice.

“Lam Van, mom is hospitalized.”

I was silent. His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't slept for a long time.

"She fell and broke her femur. The doctor said post-operative care is very important. Minh Huy's side can't take care of it, and my dad can't either. Lam Van, I know we made mistakes with you before, but can you come back and take a look? Even if it's just instructing the nurses on the care process..."

After listening, I calmly asked a question.

“Is there a fee?”

The other end of the line immediately went silent.

“I ask you, is there a fee?”

“Lam Van, I didn't mean that…”

“But I do.”

I picked up a cake, blew gently, my voice leisurely.

"Chu Minh Xuyen, I am now a professional nursing staff. If your mother needs care, you will follow the official process, sign a service contract, and charge a standard fee. If you want me to be like before, crawling up in the middle of the night to serve you, and being scolded by your mother a few times, then it won't work."

His breathing was heavy.

“Lam Van, do you have to do that?”

I smiled softly.

“You see, people always think that as long as I don't do it for free, it's unintentional.”

“But now I understand, free things are the easiest things for people to trample on.”

There was no sound on the other end of the line for a long time. Finally, he spoke softly.

“I understand.”

I hung up the phone and took a bite of cake. The heat rose, making my eyes sting a little. Not sad. It's a feeling of peace of mind, like everything is finally stable.