"It isn't at all rude," she assures her friend, waving her hand as if brushing away Maera's worries. "All marriages are different and work in their own ways. I have no issue admitting that, at times, I needed Francisco and Francisco needed me."

There was no shame in her asking Francisco for help when she had a hard time carrying the groceries or Francisco asking her for help because his work shirt had stains on them. "Your mother sounds quite independent! Must do a lot of work or has a lot of things to keep an eye on."