After being away on a business trip for a week, I couldn’t wait to get home. My boys, Tommy and Alex, were likely full of energy, and I knew my husband, Mark, would be ready for me to take over. He’s a great dad, but let’s just say he’s more about having fun than keeping things in order.
I pulled into the driveway around midnight. The house was dark and quiet, as expected. Eager to collapse into bed, I quietly let myself in. But something felt off the moment I stepped inside.
My foot brushed against something soft, and my heart skipped a beat. I fumbled for the light switch, and when the hallway lit up, I almost screamed.
There, on the floor, were Tommy and Alex, tangled up in blankets, sound asleep. Their faces were smudged with dirt, and their hair was a mess.
“What the…?” I whispered, confused. Why were they sleeping on the floor?
Not wanting to wake them, I tiptoed past and headed to the living room, which was a disaster—pizza boxes, soda cans, and melted ice cream everywhere. But where was Mark?
I rushed toward our bedroom, heart racing. His car was in the driveway, but the bed was untouched.
Then I heard a muffled sound from the boys’ room. Was he okay? What had happened?
I pushed open the door to find a scene that made my blood boil.
Mark was sitting there with headphones on, engrossed in a video game, surrounded by empty energy drink cans and snack wrappers. The boys’ room had become his personal gaming space—complete with LED lights, a huge TV, and a mini-fridge. He didn’t even notice the mess around him.
I yanked the headphones off his head. “Mark! What’s going on?”
He blinked, dazed. “Oh, hey, babe. You’re home early.”
“Early? It’s midnight! Why are the kids sleeping on the floor?”
He shrugged. “They thought it was fun, like camping or something.”
“Camping? They’re on a dirty floor, Mark. This is ridiculous.”
“Relax, Sarah. They’re fine. I’ve been feeding them.”
“Feeding them?” I pointed to the living room. “Pizza and ice cream? What about baths? And their beds?”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re overreacting.”
That was it. “Overreacting? Our kids are sleeping on the floor while you play video games. This is beyond irresponsible.”
He sighed. “I just needed some time for myself, okay?”
Taking a deep breath, I said, “Put the boys in their beds. Now.”
Grumbling, he picked up Tommy and carried him to bed. I gently scooped up Alex, wiping the dirt from his face. As I tucked him in, I made a decision: if Mark wanted to act like a child, I’d treat him like one.
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