4 June 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2757: give him an inch
You told yourself it was only once.
He asked for a bit of help - big adjustments, plans, plans, falling, little tweaking her day. And you were willing to give it. It feels good to be useful. Being something that someone can rely on. But that wasn't the end.
The next question was a little big. He didn't say "thank you" like he used to. He only assumed they would say yes again. They hesitated, but they nodded. What is the damage? You thought. What is there again?
You already noticed the lines. It's slow and have no noise, but with no mistake. What started as generosity became necessary. They expected if you gave them. Their patience was not considered something good- they were considered a standard. Your silence means agreement. Your fatigue? They didn't see.
And here they are over passing their boundaries. They put on your wears. They look back at the moment they said yes to this small inch and wonder what happened to this big weight on their back.
But maybe it's not him. Maybe you - there's no need to disappoint, be comfortable. Maybe it would never have been to take an inch. Maybe you provided it with open hands and closed eyes.
We learn. Where is our line? How much does it turn before it breaks? And who is ready to meet us in the middle - not taking the whole street.
The
centimeter penalty is not a weakness. It's a gesture. That's what people do for each other when care is mutual. But as soon as it was expected, it was requested and misused - that's when you draw a line. clearly. Clear. Apologizer.
Yes, because they gave them habits.
But that doesn't mean it has miles.