Choices

Cari looked at me and said, "Do you want to clean the kitchen or give the baby a bath?"

Initially, I thought to myself that I would like to have more choices.  

For a moment, I didn't say anything.  I just thought as I looked around the dinner table.  When my gaze approached Meredith, she spoke up and volunteered herself to join in the baby's bath.  "That choice just became more complicated", I thought as I turned my head to Randy.  He could tell I was contemplating my choices.  He declared that he was going to go watch tv.  That sounded like a great idea, but unfortunately, wasn't one of my choices.

Cari leaned in and said, "I'll clean the kitchen and you can give the girls a bath."  I was in shock.  Did she just take my freedom of choice away?  She did!  She just took my choices away from me!  I felt robbed.  

"You can't do that.  You offered choices and I was about to make my decision.", I complained.  

My wife looked at me with eyes that said, "Hurry up and let's hear your choice."  I started stammering as my mind raced, trying to pick the easiest chore that would take the least amount of time.  I looked into the kitchen to try and judge the mess that awaited.  I quickly glanced at the baby - covered in spaghetti sauce - and Cari continued to stare at me.  

Cari stood up and took some dinner plates into the kitchen.  She asked Randy to help her clear the table and he did it without complaining.  I was still sitting, thinking about my choices, when Meredith said she was going to start the bath water.  

"What about me choosing what I was going to do?"

Cari kept working on the kitchen when she replied, "You chose to give the girls a bath."

I thought about the past few moments, trying to remember the instant that I made a choice.  I wasn't really sure if I made a choice or one was made for me.