Mowing Over That Request

(My mother is the only religious person in my family and goes to church every week. We all respect her faith, but don’t have any connection with the others churchgoers.)

Mom: “You know, the priest’s lawn needs mowing.”

Brother: “And you’re telling me this because?”

Mom: “You could offer to help.”

Brother: “I’m not going to mow the lawn of someone I don’t even know.”

Sister: “Not happening.”

Me: “Not a chance.”

Mom: “What? So if someone were in danger you wouldn’t help them?”

Sister: “Of course we would.”

Me: “It’s not the same as mowing a stranger’s lawn for free, though.”

Mom: “And if an old lady needed help, you’d let her on her own?”

Me: “We would help her cross the street and carry her groceries home, but I wouldn’t repaint her living room out of the goodness of my heart, no.”

Mom: “That’s something, I suppose—”