Watching Sarah get better and better, something occurred to me.
"Where's James? Why didn't he even call?"
"I didn't tell him," Sarah answered me absently as she ate the apple I had just peeled for her.
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"Well, what is the use of my telling him? He's careless, doesn't know anything, and can't be relied on at all."
"He's not careful and considerate like you. Thank you, or I couldn't handle all this on my own. Now we need to self-pay at the hospital, and I can't even read what's on the screen," Patrick praised me with a smile.
His praise didn't make me feel any joy. On the contrary, I felt even more lost.
I stopped smiling.
I took out my cell phone and was stopped by Patrick before I could press it. "Don't call him. He can't help much now that your mom is almost better."
"How could he not help? I've taken a few days off, and I have to get back to the office, so he should stay here instead."
"He doesn't need to do that. If you have a problem, you can leave, and I can take care of your mom."
I couldn't hold back the anger inside me any longer.
I forced a call to James and tried to tell him what had happened in a calm tone.
Once James had expressed his urgent concern, he emphasized his inability to help.
"My career is rising, I just can't afford to take time off. Eleanor, it's going to be the same as before this time, and I'll thank you for it later."
I also suddenly realized that every time Patrick and Sarah needed someone to take care of them, they would subconsciously turn to me.
Whether it was something as small and worthless as buying medication, helping with online toilet paper purchases, or something as big as being sick and hospitalized, they would only come to me.
It seemed like James was always absent.
The only thing that wasn't absent was his skill at talking.
I paid money and energy to solve everything, no matter how big or small.
Why did I never think it was a problem before? I was even complacent with the fact that Patrick and Sarah relied on me more and couldn't live without me.
I even thought it all showed that they loved me more.
Before I could answer, Patrick was already beside me eagerly replying to him, "It's okay, no worries. You don't have to come back, and I can take care of your mom."