Ann was filled with excitement at the prospect of moving in with her boyfriend, Josh, hoping that this new step would bring them closer and mark a new, mature chapter in their relationship. They had been dating for two years and shared a bond she thought was for the long haul. Their story started at a football game, where they met at a hotdog stand, exchanged numbers, and sparked what she believed was a forever kind of love.
So, with high hopes, Ann carefully prepared for the move, packing her belongings and even buying a new set of pots and pans, eager to create a warm home for them both. She envisioned cozy evenings, shared responsibilities, and building a life together. However, her expectations soon took a sharp turn.
The Unsettling Realization
The move-in day arrived, and after unpacking, Ann and Josh sat down on the couch to celebrate with pizza and beer. It was supposed to be the beginning of a beautiful journey. But when she asked Josh to help clean up, he casually revealed something that stopped her in her tracks: his mother had done everything for him at home, and he saw no reason to change that now.
As Josh explained, he had grown up with his mother, Mae, handling every household task, from cleaning up after him to doing his laundry. He seemed to believe that this arrangement was natural and even told Ann, “My Mom taught me that a woman should do these things.” To Ann, this was a shock. She had expected partnership in this new phase, not a lopsided distribution of duties.
An Offer That Was Insulting
Hoping to understand Josh’s perspective, Ann asked why he hadn’t brought up this expectation earlier in their relationship. To her surprise, Josh didn’t see it as a problem, saying they’d only just moved in together. He even suggested he could “pay” her to do the chores, an offer that left her stunned.
“Pay me to be your maid?” she asked, unable to hide her disbelief. His casual attitude toward her frustration and his reluctance to take responsibility made her question everything. She suddenly saw Josh not as a partner but as someone who wasn’t prepared for an equal relationship — someone who expected her to take on the role his mother had always played.
A Sleepless Night of Realization
That night, Ann couldn’t shake her frustration and disappointment. She tossed and turned, replaying their conversation and wondering if she could actually live with someone who showed so little regard for shared responsibilities. Unable to sleep, she texted her mother, who instantly replied with an invitation to come back home in the morning. In that moment, Ann felt an overwhelming sense of relief, knowing she didn’t have to stay in a situation that didn’t align with her values.
By morning, her mind was made up. She gathered her essentials, left the apartment, and drove back to her parents’ home, feeling at peace with her decision. The thought of living with her parents, under their guidance, seemed far more appealing than being expected to mother Josh.
The Final Goodbye
Later that day, Ann returned to the apartment with her mom to retrieve the rest of her belongings. When they walked in, they found Josh sitting on the couch, immersed in a video game, surrounded by unpacked boxes — a scene that confirmed her choice.
“Where have you been?” Josh asked, clearly taken aback. But Ann didn’t offer explanations. As she packed her things, she turned to him and calmly stated, “Listen, Josh, you’ve got to grow up. I can’t be with someone who wants me to be their Mom at home.”
Unsurprisingly, Josh denied everything, insisting he didn’t rely on his mother as much as she claimed. But Ann knew the truth and had made up her mind. With everything packed, she and her mom walked out, leaving Josh and his expectations behind. Ann was ready to close that chapter, knowing she had made the right decision for herself.
