At 52, I had a stroke. «The trip’s paid for, get better,» my husband said, then jetted off to the Maldives with the kids….

Miguel, don’t forget to start the washing machine and take the meat out the freezer. Victoria, water the flowers. Mateo, take out the trash.

The usual morning instructions, the usual nods in response. Pamela knew that half of it wouldn’t be done, and in the evening, she’d do it all herself. The entire day at the oil company office, where Pamela worked as a leading financial analyst, passed in meetings and phone calls.

After lunch, the school director, where her nephew studied, called to report behavioral problems. Pamela promised to talk to her sister. Then she had to deal with Mateo’s credit issue.

The bank sent a notice about a missed payment. That evening, while returning home on the overcrowded subway, Pamela looked through photos of resorts on her phone. The idea had started forming a week ago when she accidentally saw an advertisement for the Maldives, turquoise ocean, white beaches, over water villas.

The last time they went on vacation as a family was three years ago, and even then, they stayed close by because Miguel was afraid to fly. I need to give them a gift, Pamela thought, looking at the luxurious resort pictures. Mateo will stabilize, Victoria will mature, and maybe Miguel and I will remember that we once loved each other.

At home, no one was there. There was a note from Miguel on the table, gone to a reunion, I’ll be back late. The meat was still in the freezer.

The flowers were dry. No one had taken out the trash. Pamela mechanically did all the household tasks, had reheated soup for dinner, and sat down at her laptop.

Until midnight, she was preparing the financial plan for the next six months. If she tightened the belt, took on extra projects, and canceled the planned bathroom renovation, they could afford the Maldives by May. All it would take was working weekends for the next four months.

So began her long working days. Waking up at five in the morning to get the house work done before leaving for work. Coming back at nine in the evening with additional projects.

Weekends spent in front of the laptop. Rare calls with questions. Mom, where do we keep winter clothes? Pamela, I can’t find clean shirts.

Mom, can you send more money for the taxi? By February, Pamela had finally settled on the hotel and dates. She booked an overwater villa, the largest one with two bedrooms and a private pool. Paid for the plane tickets, insurance, transfers.

All for the happy faces she imagined she’d see when announcing the gift to the family. In early March, when everything was paid for and booked, Pamela gathered the family for a meeting. I have a surprise for you, she said, looking at their confused faces.

In May, we’re all going to the Maldives for two weeks. Their reaction exceeded all expectations. Victoria screamed and threw her arms around her mother.

Mateo didn’t believe it at first, but then started frantically googling the resort. Even Miguel broke into a smile and awkwardly hugged Pamela. This, this is amazing, he mumbled.

Are you sure we can afford it? I’ve calculated everything, Pamela smiled, enjoying the rare moment of family unity. The next two months flew by in a flurry of preparation. Victoria endlessly bought new swimsuits and beach clothes, constantly consulting her mother…