A Little White Lie

I recently told my partner that I had called my elderly aunt to check on her well-being when she hadn't been responding to messages. The truth is, I was just too lazy and preoccupied with work to make the call. She knows how important it is for me to keep an eye on Auntie Ruth, so lying felt like a quick fix to avoid her disappointment. Now every time my phone rings, my heart skips a beat, half-expecting some news about Ruth that I’m responsible for delivering.