A new row of chores appeared on the fridge calendar: Reset/Refresh (PM). It sounded spa-like, not supervisory. Boxes waited for ticks. When she forgot to mark one, he ticked it for her with a polite “All set,” a kindness that felt oddly like being signed on her behalf.
He called reminders “courtesies.” “Phone screen down at meals,” “Keys in the tray by the door,” “Wipe sink after brushing—water marks spread.” Each request alone was reasonable; together they arranged themselves like fence posts, low enough to step over, frequent enough to keep her on a path she didn’t choose.