What would you do if you visited your sister—nine months pregnant—and saw she was being treated like a maid? That’s exactly what happened to me during a business trip when I had to spend a few nights at my sister Lily’s house. What I witnessed shocked me to the core—but what I did next, involving a watermelon and a wild bet, changed everything.
ARRIVAL AND SHOCK
The moment I stepped through her door, I knew something was off. Lily was waddling around, her belly ready to burst, her face pale, and dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted.
And then I saw her husband, Mark—sprawled on the couch, video game controller in hand, completely immersed in his screen, totally oblivious to Lily’s condition.
That evening, I witnessed it all firsthand. Lily served a simple pasta dinner, clearly prepared with effort despite her condition. Mark took one bite, grimaced, and muttered:
— “Ugh, this is cold. I’m taking it upstairs.”
He grabbed the plate and went upstairs to eat and play, leaving Lily alone to clear the table. She then loaded the dishwasher, started a load of laundry, folded baby clothes, and continued prepping the nursery—while carrying a full-term pregnancy.
I, of course, helped her, but Mark stayed upstairs, gaming away as if none of it concerned him.
A PLAN IS BORN
The next morning, after a breakfast of burnt toast (poor Lily could barely stay focused), I decided it was time to have a little chat.
— “Hey Mark,” I said calmly, “I’ve noticed Lily’s been doing everything around here. With the baby so close, maybe you could help out a little?”
He scoffed.
— “Come on, it’s a woman’s job. Lily likes taking care of me. And she’ll love taking care of our kid. Don’t bring your progressive ideas into my house. My wife is just doing what she’s supposed to.”
My blood boiled. But instead of yelling, I smiled. That’s when the idea hit me.
— “You’re right,” I said sweetly. “In fact, I bet you couldn’t even last a day doing what Lily does.”
He laughed. “And if I prove you wrong?”
— “Then I’ll be your personal maid for life. But if you lose, you become the husband Lily deserves. Deal?”
He smirked and extended his hand. “Deal.”
ENTER THE WATERMELON
I headed straight to the grocery store and came back with the biggest watermelon I could find, along with plastic wrap and a wicked sense of satisfaction.
With Lily’s help, we cut the melon in half, scooped out the inside, and wrapped each half with plastic. We used straps to secure one half to Mark’s stomach—voilà, a pregnancy belly simulation.
We handed him a list of Lily’s daily chores: laundry, dishes, vacuuming, mopping, cooking, grocery shopping, painting the nursery… you name it.
— “This will be a piece of cake,” Mark declared confidently.
He was so wrong.
Within minutes, he was struggling. The melon threw off his balance, he couldn’t bend over, and he waddled like a penguin. Trying to vacuum was an ordeal. Loading the washer? The “belly” knocked against the door every time. Lily and I sat on the couch with popcorn, thoroughly entertained.
— “Need some help?” I called out with a grin.
Mark mumbled something about “women’s work not being easy after all,” and by lunchtime, he was drenched in sweat, sticky from the melon, and moving at a snail’s pace.
The cherry on top was watching him attempt to paint the nursery while standing on a step ladder, arms shaking, nearly losing balance with every stroke.
Then came the final moment of defeat: Mark on all fours scrubbing the bathroom floor, panting, exhausted.
A REALIZATION DAWNS
By sunset, he tossed the sponge aside, peeled off the watermelon, and collapsed onto the couch.
— “I can’t do it,” he muttered. “I give up.”
Lily stood up and looked at him. He glanced up, eyes full of regret.
— “Lily… I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize how much you go through. I’ve been blind.”
Tears filled her eyes—not of pain, but relief. She knelt next to him and gently cupped his cheek.
— “It’s okay. I’m just glad you finally see it.”
A NEW BEGINNING
That night, Mark helped clean the kitchen, did the dishes, and folded the laundry. He even assembled the crib—without swearing (well, not much). Over the next few days, he became a changed man. He cooked, cleaned, massaged Lily’s swollen feet, and repainted the nursery in a calming shade of blue.
When Lily went into labor, Mark was by her side, holding her hand and whispering encouragement. He cried when their daughter was born, holding her like she was the most precious thing on Earth.
As I packed to leave, Lily hugged me tightly.
— “Thank you,” she whispered. “You saved our marriage… and gave our daughter a father who truly loves and respects her mother.”
I hugged her back, heart full of hope. I knew people could change.
But if not?
Well… I’ll be back.
With another watermelon.