How much should our history count? - Jess

Elsa and Jess were childhood best friends. They grew up together, weathered school dramas together, and remained close into adulthood.

In her adult years, Elsa begins to feel stressed and overwhelmed juggling work and motherhood. She starts to share her troubles with Jess regularly. Jess listens. She comforts. She offers support.

When Jess begins to have conflict with her husband, she reaches out to Elsa to share her marital troubles.

But Elsa typically ends the conversation quickly. "Sorry, the children need me." Or "My husband is calling, I have to go."

Jess notices the pattern but says nothing. She continues to be there when Elsa calls.

One day, when Elsa calls her to share her troubles again, Jess keeps silence throughout the conversation. She listens, but offers no comfort. No responses. Just quiet.

Elsa, noticing the unusual silence, asks, "Jess, are you okay?"

Jess's voice was flat. "I have to go." She ends the conversation.

After that, their connection becomes estranged. Calls go unanswered. Messages remain brief.

Elsa was hurt and confused. She reaches out one more time, her frustration spilling over. "You don't understand the intensity of my chores and duties. I expected more from a best friend of decades."

She reminds Jess of the times she stood up for her during bullying in school. The interest-free loans she extended to Jess during hard times.

"After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me?"

Jess reads the message. She thinks about all the times she listened to Elsa's struggles. All the times Elsa cut her off when she tried to share her own.

She doesn't reply.