The woman who sweeps our compound comes three times a week. At the end of every month, the tenants contribute and pay her. But for some reason, she always asks if I have extra work for her. I usually don’t. So, whenever my wife or I see her, we just give her small cash or some foodstuff since we buy in bulk every month. In my house, I’m responsible for washing our baby’s clothes, so most times when the woman comes to sweep the compound early in the morning, that’s when I’m hanging my baby’s clothes outside to dry. My wife and I send our own clothes to the dry cleaner, so it’s not like I’m always drowning in laundry. One day, after she asked for work yet again, my wife suggested something. “Why don’t we just let her wash the baby’s clothes? At least just to help her with extra money so you can rest a bit.” It made sense. So, we hired her. For two months, everything was fine. She’d come, wash, and go. But then, one morning, after she finished washing, I asked her to help me get our clothes from the dry cleaner. Next thing she said, “Ah, Oga. Your wife no dey wash una clothes too? Na wa o. Wetin she con dey do for house? Hope say she dey cook for you? Abi she no sabi cook too? Because me, I sabi cook o. If you want, I fit even cook for you join this one I dey do. I no lazy.” I froze. I wasn’t sure if I heard her right. She saw the look on my face and smiled sheepishly. “No vex, sir. Make I go bring the clothes now now.” I didn’t say a word. By the time she returned, I paid her for the day. Then, I blocked her number. I also called the security guy and told him, “Next time she comes, tell her to just sweep the compound. No more washing for us.” Since then, she has been using different numbers to call and beg. Even sending messages that she’s sorry. One day, she saw me outside and ran up to kneel before me. “Oga abeg, no vex. Na mouth wey no get control. I no mean am like that.” I told her it was fine. But my mind was made up. Funny thing is, I never even told my wife. When she saw me washing the baby’s clothes again, she asked, “What happened to the woman?” I just told her I missed washing my baby’s clothes and besides, the woman didn’t wash them the way I liked. The truth is, I know my wife—she would have told me to forgive and forget. Well, I forgave. But some things are too dangerous to forget. Boundaries The End Ajebo Writer ©️Kingdavid Chinaeke Ofunne