Woman Waits Years for Someone Else in the House to Care Enough to Clean the Refrigerator

In early 2015, after reading an article in a parenting magazine about how to build more self-reliance in her children, local mom, Janis Smith quietly decided she would have her two sons clean out the refrigerator. She discussed this with her husband after a particularly bad chocolate milk spill that took almost a full day to clean up. Only minutes after she had completely cleaned the refrigerator she found a tell tale circle of sticky crud. Upon confronting her oldest son, he replied, “uh huh”. She stood her ground and made it clear she expected this to be addressed. Feeling comforted by his response of almost a complete word, “ok”, she resisted the urge to clean it herself. Now, five years later the refrigerator is filled with uneaten leftovers, multiple jars — each with one floating slice of pickle, and unidentifiable foods, stains, and debris.

Earlier today she opened the refrigerator and let out an audible sigh. As she stood there at the open door, gazing at the mix of fresh and rancid contents her son approached. “I’m sorry”, he said. Just then Janis was filled with warmth as her son continued, “can I get past you to get that OJ?”.