Demitri wiped down the countertop, ensuring everything was spotless after dinner. Earlier, he had made sure his grandmother took her medication and settled into bed. As he rinsed the washcloth and hung it near the basin, he heard Nora's voice behind him.
"I'll do the dishes."
Demitri immediately turned off the tap. "No," he said firmly, facing her. "You should go to the bedroom." His tone left no room for argument. "I'll bring you a pair of clothes—just wait for me in the living room."
Without waiting for her response, he turned back to the sink and resumed washing.
But Nora didn't budge from her place.
"Do you have to say something to me?" Demitri raised his head to look at her. She promptly shook her head and went to the living room.
Sitting on the couch, she waited for him and picked up her phone from the table. She scrolled through the messages and entered the group chat of her fellow receptionists.