Nine months pregnant, Eloise is nesting with urgency, but her husband, Tom, keeps procrastinating on assembling the crib. Frustrated and feeling isolated, she takes matters into her own hands and plans a shocking lesson to make Tom understand the weight of his inaction.
I sat on the armchair, staring at the unopened crib box in the corner of the nursery. Everything was ready for the babys arrival except for that darn crib. It had been sitting there for weeks, reminding me of all the promises Tom hadnt kept.
A sad woman sitting in an armchair | Source: Midjourney
Every time I asked him to put it together, it was always “tomorrow.” But tomorrow never came, and now here I was, ready to pop, exhausted, and feeling more alone than ever.
To him, assembling the crib was just another task on a never-ending list. To me, it was a vital part of preparing for the baby. One that had unintentionally turned into an ominous sign that I couldnt rely on my husband to be a good father.
So, I decided Id do it myself.
A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney
I dragged that heavy box across the room, my back already aching with the effort. I felt the baby shifting inside me, a sharp reminder I shouldnt be exerting myself like this. But what choice did I have?
The instructions were a nightmare, but I pressed on, piece by piece, screw by screw, my hands shaking. About halfway through, just as I was struggling to fit a particularly stubborn piece into place, Tom walked in.
A man standing in a doorway | Source: Midjourney
He had that relaxed look on his face that used to make me fall in love with him, but right now, it just made me want to scream.
“Hey,” he said, glancing at the half-assembled crib. “Good job. Why did you ask me to help you if you can do it yourself?”
Did he seriously just say that? I opened my mouth to tear him a new one, but the words stuck in my throat. He wouldnt get it anyway, so I turned back to the crib, not bothering to hide my tears.
A woman crying | Source: Midjourney
He stood there for a minute, then shrugged and left the room. I felt like roadkill by the time I finally finished the crib. I sank onto the floor, staring at it through a haze of tears.
This was supposed to be a moment we shared together, something we could both look back on and smile about. Instead, it was just another reminder of how alone I felt.
That night, I lay in bed next to Tom, my mind racing with everything that had happened.
A woman lying awake | Source: Midjourney
I realized then that it wasnt just about the crib. It was about the way hed brushed off my concerns. He seemed to think that just because I was strong and independent; I didnt need him.
I knew then that something had to change. This wasnt just about putting together a crib. It was about putting together our lives, our partnership.
And if he couldnt see that, if he couldnt step up and be the partner I needed him to be, then I didnt know what our future would look like.
A woman lying in bed | Source: Midjourney
One thing was for sure: He needed to learn that this wasnt just my journey — it was ours. And if he didnt start acting like it, then we were going to have a serious problem.
The next morning, I woke up with a plan. I wasnt the type to be vindictive, but after last night, something had to give. Tom needed a wake-up call, and if I had to orchestrate the whole darn thing, then so be it.
“Tom,” I said, rubbing my back like it was aching more than it was. “I think Im going to take it easy today. Ive just been so tired lately.”
A woman lying in bed | Source: Pexels
He looked up from his phone, barely paying attention. “Sure, babe. Take all the time you need. I got everything under control.”
That was exactly what I wanted to hear. “I invited a few friends and family over tomorrow. Just a little get-together before the baby comes. Could you handle the rest of the preparations? You know, get the cake, set up the decorations, make sure everythings perfect?”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, no problem. How hard can it be?”
Oh, Tom. If only you knew.
A smirking woman | Source: Pexels
I spent the rest of the day lounging on the couch while he watched TV or tinkered with his computer. Every so often, Id glance at him, wondering if he was even remotely aware of what hed just agreed to.
But no, he was as relaxed as ever, blissfully unaware of the storm I was about to unleash.
The next morning, I made sure to stay in bed longer than usual, letting him sleep in just a little too late.
A woman scrolling on her phone in bed | Source: Pexels
When he finally woke up, I handed him the list Id prepared. It was innocent enough, just a few tasks to get the party ready, but Id left out one crucial detail: there was absolutely no time to get it all done.
“Heres the list,” I said, stifling a yawn. “Im just going to rest a bit more. You got this, right?”
Tom scanned the list, still not fully awake. “Yeah, no worries. Ill get it all done.”
I bit back a smirk. This was going to be interesting.
A woman in bed | Source: Pexels
About an hour later, I heard him in the kitchen, cursing under his breath. I stayed in bed, listening as he scrambled around, realizing just how much he had to do. The clock was ticking, and I knew the pressure was starting to get to him.
“Where the heck is the cake order?” I heard him mutter, followed by the sound of cabinets being slammed shut. “Did she even tell me which bakery?”
I stifled a laugh, picturing him panicking in front of the bakery counter, trying to sweet-talk his way into getting a cake on short notice.
A cake | Source: Pexels
This was exactly what I wanted him to experience: the sheer panic of realizing youre completely unprepared.
As the morning wore on, I could feel his stress levels rising. He rushed in and out of the house, arms full of groceries, decorations half-dangling from his hands. At one point, he poked his head into the bedroom, his hair sticking up in all directions.
“Babe, where did you say the streamers were?” he asked, his voice a little higher than usual.
“Check the hall closet,” I mumbled, pretending to drift back to sleep.
A stressed man | Source: Midjourney
I knew damn well the streamers werent in the hall closet. They were in the basement, tucked behind a pile of old Christmas decorations. But he didnt need to know that.
By the time guests started arriving, Tom was a mess. The decorations were half-done, the food was barely prepared, and I could see the panic in his eyes as he tried to hold it all together.
Id been watching from the couch while pretending to read a magazine, which I set aside as our friends and family filled the living room.
A woman on a sofa | Source: Pexels
The moment of truth came when my mother-in-law arrived. She gave Tom a once-over, her eyebrows knitting together in that way only mothers can manage.
“Whats going on here, Tom?” she asked, eyeing the half-hung decorations and the empty table where the cake shouldve been.
Tom stammered, running a hand through his hair. “I, uh, I had everything under control, but… things got a little crazy.”
A man with his hands on his head | Source: Midjourney
I could see the judgment in her eyes, but I didnt intervene. This was his mess, and he needed to face it.
As the guests settled in, I stood up, feigning a bit of exhaustion as I made my way to the front of the room.
“Thank you all for coming,” I started, my voice steady despite the fire burning in my chest. “I just wanted to say how much it means to me to have you all here. Its been hard getting ready for the baby, since Ive been doing a lot of the preparations myself.”
A stern woman | Source: Pexels
“Including assembling the nursery. In fact, I had to assemble the crib by myself just a few days ago, big belly and all. It was very difficult and I still feel tired.”
The room fell silent, all eyes on Tom. He shifted uncomfortably, his face flushing with embarrassment. Even his mother looked away, unable to hide her disappointment.
“And its made me realize,” I continued, “that its important to remember that marriage and parenthood are about partnership. Its not just one persons job to carry the load.”
I let the words hang in the air, the weight of them sinking in as the guests exchanged awkward glances.
Guests at a baby shower | Source: Midjourney
Toms mother sighed, shaking her head slightly.
“Tom,” she said quietly, “you shouldve known better.”
Tom looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor, and for a moment, I almost felt bad for him. But then I remembered the weeks of empty promises, the nights spent worrying, and the crib Id had to assemble on my own.
No, he needed to feel this.
An embarrassed man | Source: Midjourney
After the party, when the guests had all left, Tom and I sat down at the kitchen table. He looked exhausted, drained from the days events. I didnt say anything at first, just let the silence stretch between us until he finally spoke.
“Im sorry,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didnt realize how much I was leaving on your shoulders. I thought I was helping, but I was just… I dont know, I wasnt there like I shouldve been.”
I nodded, feeling a knot in my throat.
A remorseful man | Source: Midjourney
“Tom, I need to know that I can rely on you. Not just for the big things, but for everything. I cant do this alone, and I shouldnt have to.”
He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. “I promise, Ill do better. Ill be there. Ill change.”
As I looked into his eyes, I could see the sincerity there, the determination to make things right.
“Okay,” I said finally. “But this is your chance, Tom. Dont waste it.”
A stern woman | Source: Midjourney
Heres another story: Marsha grows suspicious when her husband starts disappearing for hours and taking secretive calls. Then she catches him burying mysterious bags in the yard and confronts him. But what she discovers inside the bags leaves her both shocked and relieved, unraveling a deeper neighborhood conflict. Click here to read more.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
