“So, when do you plan to start working again?”

“But I am working.”

“Oh! Congratulations! Which company? What role?”

“I work at home.”

(Slight hesitation) “Oh, you mean remote work? That’s great! Which firm?”

“No. I work in my home.”

(Excitement fading) “Oh, that. No, I meant real work.”

“But I really work.”

“I mean work that… you know… matters.”

“My home, my kid, my family matter to me.”

(Forced chuckle) “I mean work that lets you earn money.”

“What does earning money have to do with mattering?”

(Pause. Gears switching.) “I just meant… you shouldn’t waste your education by staying at home.”

“But I use my education every day — to run my home, raise my child, and make life better for my family.”

(Silence. Thought spiralling.)

“Still… wouldn’t you want to do something with your degree?”

“I do. I use it all the time.”

“No, I mean professionally.”

“I manage budgets, finances, logistics, schedules. Sounds professional to me.”

“But don’t you miss having a real job?”

“This is as real as it gets. If my family isn’t real, I don’t know what is?”

“I just mean… wouldn’t you want a career?”

“Oh, I have one. It just doesn’t come with a salary slip.”

“But doesn’t it bother you? Don’t you feel unfulfilled?”

“No, I don’t… and you seem more bothered by my life than I am.”

(Awkward pause. A sudden interest in the floor tiles. Topic changed)

“Did you hear what happened to …”

Footnote

One of two people in this conversation, is considering printing a business card – Director, Home affairs – just to avoid having this conversation again and again. Some truths don’t need explaining, but a business card wouldn’t hurt either.