Mom, are you really thinking of handing the flat over to your brothers boy? And then expecting me to move back in? Im not letting that happen!
Dont even think about it! Are you out of your mind, love? Hell kick you out straight away, can yout see that?
Emily, stop arguing with me! Ive made up my mind.
At first Mum tried to play it cool, acting like she was standing firm and confident. Then the tears started, because deep down she knew she was being unfair to her own daughter.
The thing was, Matthew Emilys younger brother had always been the golden child. Olivia Harper had given birth to him when she was already past thirty, while Emily arrived much earlier, almost by accident.
So Olivia treated her daughter with a sort of its fine, thats that attitude. Emily was mostly brought up by her mother, because Olivia had promised herself back then that shed finish college.
When Olivia remarried for a second time, she started planning Matthews future properly, enjoying the whole motherhood thing. Emily watched it all, but she never got why Mum was so openly favouring her brother.
Usually parents try to be a bit subtle about it, but Olivia never hid the fact that Matthew meant more to her. She even wondered aloud why the siblings never got along warmly it was odd, she thought, maybe there were reasons behind it.
Well, Matthew had always gotten the best of everything. While Emily had to make do with what was there and keep quiet about any complaints, he was handed extra cash every time. Hes a man now, so thats how it should be, shed say, brushing off the fact that he was a few years younger than Emily.
Remember, when Matthew grows up hell have to earn his own bread and keep his family going. Until then, I owe him a hand.
Mom, what about me?
What do you want? Your job is to find a good husband and settle down, Olivia declared, spreading the kettle on the table.
Emily pushed back, saying she had no intention of leaning on a husband and wanted to build herself up, both personally and professionally.
Dont spout that nonsense, you hear me? Isnt that a bit ridiculous?
Whats so funny about it?
Just that no one in our family has ever thought like that before.
So Ill be the first.
Emily could never make sense of her mothers logic and refused to follow it. Thanks to that stance, she soon moved into a rented flat of her own. It felt like a breath of fresh air living under the same roof with Matthew and Mum had become unbearable, especially as she got older.
The move didnt upset anyone; in fact, the flat suddenly had more space. Five years slipped by. During that time Emily managed to get a mortgage, bought a house and paid it off. Meanwhile, Matthew was still living with Mum, had married his wife, Alan, and in a few months theyd be expecting a baby.
Olivia was the sort of person who liked to be content with what she had, and she clung to that mindset for a long while.
You know, love, our neighbour just got a dishwasher. Kids bought it for her, she bragged one afternoon.
Thats nice, Emily replied.
I wish I had one too, but Im scared to splurge!
Why?
Because Matthews job is on the line right now. They might cut him, and Alans on maternity leave getting a tiny benefit.
Matthew also had the habit of never sharing his money. He was perfectly happy to live off Mums support, as if the groceries would appear on their own.
Matthew, when will you finally grow a conscience? Emily snapped when they ran into each other at the supermarket, where he was picking up chips and a soda before a football match.
Whats that about?
Help Mum out a bit! Her pension isnt endless. Shes buying everything herself.
He stared away, realizing Emily was right.
Whats it to you? You dont even live with us.
I feel sorry for Mum!
Look after yourself then. No family, no husband, and shes still worrying about everyone else.
He turned and walked off, leaving Emily standing there, stunned. Hed hit the nail on the head and used it to his advantage.
By thirtyfive, Emily still hadnt married. Her exboyfriend, whod dated her for a few years, had cheated, and she wasnt ready for anything new.
Can I help you, miss? a shop assistant asked.
No, thanks, Im fine.
Emily knew exactly what she was doing was right. Matthew was no longer a teenager; he was a husband and a new dad, so he should shoulder his responsibilities rather than lean on Mum forever.
Emily, how dare you talk to him like that? Olivia started, fuming.
Mom, I was just telling the truth I was even defending you.
Did I ask you to? Because thanks to you Matthew started shouting all over the flat. Weve got a baby, can you see that?
How am I involved?
Emily didnt know how to answer her mothers outburst.
Besides, you shouldnt have said that. You know how sensitive he is.
It was strange how Olivia always talked about Matthews feelings and never thought of Emilys, who loved her mum dearly. Even when Emily tried to stand up for her brother and then for her mum, she ended up being blamed.
About six months later, Emily hadnt spoken to them at all. Then, out of the blue, Mum called and asked her to come over. Nothing had changed in the flat and of course no dishwasher had been bought.
Wheres Matthew and Alan? Emily asked.
Theyre off to a birthday party. Im just here with Sam. Fancy a cuppa?
No, thanks, Mum. You wanted to talk about something, right?
Yes, Ive made a big decision. Im going to give the flat to Sam.
Emily thought Mum was joking or testing her reaction.
You mean you want to give the shared flat to your brothers son? Are you out of your mind? Are you hearing yourself?
Emily, stop arguing! Ive decided!
Of course Emily tried to explain how risky that move was, but Olivia kept firm.
So youre not only looking after everyone here, you actually want to retitle the house?
Just helping out, thats all.
And whats Alan doing now?
Hes with the baby. Itll be a bigger headache than any job.
Did Alan tell you that? I see him posting all over social media.
You dont get it, Emily! You have no kids, so you think you know everything.
Emily realised she shouldnt have come. Six months of silence had changed nothing.
Youve got a new car, huh? Bought it on credit? Olivia asked.
No, I paid for it outright.
Even though you didnt help Matthew when he got laid off and was struggling for cash.
Emily kept being baffled by her mothers reasoning. Matthew was an adult now and, eventually, he would have to support his own family.
What are you getting at?
Im not hinting, Im being blunt. I could buy the kid a new cot because we had to make do with an old one. And I need that dishwasher my hands are sore from washing dishes.
Its my time, Mum.
Emily headed for the door, but Olivia kept ranting.
Before she left, Emily asked one last question.
Mum, if you retitle the flat to their child, theyll evict you. Where will you go then?
Olivia, as stubborn as ever, brushed her off.
Oh, Emily, youre so headstrong! Sam is my only grandchild. Youll never have grandkids, and youll never marry anyway. Im not surprised. Your character is terrible you only think of yourself!
That hit Emily hard, and any desire to argue vanished. She thought, if theyre all so perfect, maybe theyll just buy her a dishwasher after all. Shed sort out her own life. It wasnt easy, but there was no other way. Olivia had made her choice long ago.
Well, thats how it goes. You reap what you sow, and old age is just around the corner
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