– Mom, you want to give our flat to my nephew and then move in with me? I won’t let that happen!

Mum, you really plan to give that flat to my brothers son? And then you expect me to move in with you? I wont let that happen!
Dont even think about it! Emily, are you out of your mind? Do you hear yourself? Hell throw you out straight away, cant you see that?

Emily, stop arguing with me! Ive made up my mind!

At first Eleanor tried to cling to her pride, shouting that she was independent and confident in her own words. Then the tears came, because deep down she knew she was being cruel to her own daughter.

The point was that James, Emilys younger brother, had always been his mothers golden child. Eleanor had given birth to him when she was well past thirty, while Emily arrived early and fragile.

So Eleanor treated her daughter the way she did shes alright, I suppose. Emily was largely raised by her mother alone, since Eleanor had promised herself she would finish university. When James was finally conceived, it was after Eleanor had married for the second time and was reveling in motherhood.

Emily watched all of this with a clear eye, but she never understood why her mother would so openly favour her brother. Usually parents keep such preferences hidden, yet Eleanor never hid the fact that James meant more to her.

She even went on to wonder aloud why the siblings never seemed to share a warm bond. Its odd, isnt it? There must be a reason, she muttered.

From childhood James always got the best of everything, while Emily was expected to make do with what she could, never daring to complain. Money was always handed to him in larger sumsafter all, hes a man now, thats how it should be. The fact that he was a few years younger meant nothing.

Remember, James, when youre grown youll earn your own living and support your own family. Until then Im obliged to help him!

Mum, what about me?

And whats your role? Your job is to marry well and cling to a husband, she declared, laying a plate on the table with unwavering certainty.

Emily snapped back, refusing to be a pawn. Im not going to depend on a man. I want to forge my own path, professionally and personally.

What nonsense are you spouting, you hear me? Arent you ashamed of yourself?

Whats so funny about that?

At least youre the first in our family to think that way.

Emily could not grasp her mothers logic and refused to follow it. With that resolve she soon moved into a rented flat. The escape felt like a breath of fresh air; living under the same roof as James and Eleanor had become unbearable, especially as she grew older.

The years passed. Five more years slipped by, and during that time Emily managed to secure a mortgage on a house and pay it off. Meanwhile James still lived with their mother, had brought his wife, Allison, into the same flat, and a baby was due in a few months.

Eleanor, by nature, had always been content with what she had, clinging to that stance for as long as she could.

Can you imagine, love? Our neighbour bought a dishwasher. Not herself, of course the kids gave it to her.

Thats nice.

Id love one too, but Im scared to splurge!

Why?

Because James is down on his luck at work. They might cut his hours, and hell have to hunt for a new job, while Allison is on maternity leave and scraping by on the tiny state allowance.

James also had a habit of hoarding his money; he never liked to share. He was perfectly happy living off his mothers support, as if groceries magically appeared in the fridge.

James, when will your conscience finally wake up? Emily snapped when they bumped into each other at the supermarket.

He was reaching for a packet of crisps and a soda before a big football match.

Whats your grievance?

Help Mum with money! Her pension isnt endless. She buys all the food on her own wages!

James averted his gaze, realizing Emily was right.

Whats it to you? You dont even live with us.

I feel sorry for Mum!

Then feel sorry for yourself. No family, no husband theres nothing left for you here!

He turned and walked away, leaving Emily frozen in shock. He had hit the soft spot and knew exactly how to wound her.

At thirtyfive Emily was still single. Her former boyfriend, whod dated her for years, had cheated on her, and she wasnt ready to trust anyone again.

Can I help you, miss? a shop assistant asked.

No, thank you.

Emily knew she was doing the right thing. James was no longer a teenager; he was a husband and a new father, and should therefore shoulder responsibility instead of leaning on his mothers shoulders while pursuing his own whims.

Emily, how dare you speak to him like that? Eleanor burst out, her voice shaking.

Mum, I only told the truth and tried to stand up for you.

Did I ask for that? By the way, because of you James lost his temper and started shouting through the flat. We have a newborn, cant you see?

Because of me? What does that even mean?

Emily was at a loss for a response.

And you had no right to say that. You know how fragile he is.

It was strange how Eleanor talked about James without ever considering Emilys feelings, the daughter who had always loved her. Even now, when Emily tried to defend her brother and, in doing so, also defended her mother, she ended up being blamed.

About six months after that heated exchange, Emily cut off all contact with them. Then, out of the blue, her mother called and asked her to come home.

Nothing had changed in the flat; the dishwasher was still missing.

Where are James and his wife?

Theyve been invited to a wedding. Im just here with little Sam. Would you like a cup of tea?

No, Mum, I dont want to. You seemed to want to talk to me about something?

Yes, Ive made a very important decision. I want to give the flat to Sam.

Emily at first thought her mother was joking or testing her reaction.

You want to give the shared flat to my brothers son? Mum, are you out of your mind?

Emily, stop arguing! Ive decided!

Of course Emily tried to explain the disastrous consequences, but Eleanor stood firm.

So not only do you run this whole household, you also want to transfer ownership of the flat?

Im just trying to help.

And whats Allison doing now?

Shes looking after the baby. You know that job is harder than any other.

Did Allison tell you that? I see her posting endless selfies on social media.

You dont understand anything, Emily! Thats because you have no children of your own, so you think you know everything.

Emily realised she shouldnt have come back. Six months of silence had changed nothing.

I see youve got a new car. Bought it on finance? her mother asked.

No, I bought it outright.

And you never helped James. You heard hes been furloughed and is struggling for money.

Emily could not stop marveling at her mothers logic. James, after all, was an adult and one day would have to bear the burden of his own family.

What are you implying?

Im not implying, Im stating it plainly. I could have bought a new cot for the baby, but we had to make do with an old one. And I need that dishwasher; my hands ache from washing dishes by hand.

I have to go, Mum.

Emily headed for the door, but Eleanor kept pressing.

Before leaving, Emily asked one last question.

Mum, if you rewrite the lease in the babys name, theyll evict you straight away. Where will you go then?

Eleanor, stubborn as ever, shrugged it off.

Oh, Emily, youre so obstinate! Sam is my only grandchild. Youll never have grandchildren yourself, and youll never get married. Im not surprised your temperament is terrible. All you think about is yourself!

Those words crushed any remaining urge Emily had to argue. She thought, If theyre all so perfect, let them buy me a dishwasher. She would sort her own life out. It hadnt been easy, but there was nowhere else to go. Eleanor had made her choice long ago.

Well, thats how it goes. You reap what you sow. Age is catching up, after all

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