Rita’s Packing Her Bags and Walking Out – ‘Where To?’ – ‘Why Do You Care? Clear Out the Flat Too, It’s Mine and Dad’s. I’m Renting It Out. I Don’t Need Deadbeats Here. Find Your Own Place.’

Emma was packing her things to leave.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“What difference does it make to you? You should clear out toothe flat belongs to me and Dad. Ill be renting it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find yourself somewhere else to live.”

Emma had just come home from work and found her husband, James, carousing again. He wasnt alonehis friends were there too. Sitting at the table were their neighbour, Paul, and his brother, Nick. Nick had come to visit, and theyd been celebrating his holiday for the third day in a row.

James rarely drank to excessonly on special occasions, and even then, not always. But this was differenthis friend had come to town, and the company had swept him up. James knew he was being irresponsible, but he couldnt bring himself to refuse them.

“Are you my mate or not?” Nick kept saying.

“James, tell your friends to leave and go to bed. They can barely stand.”

“Shut it, woman!” Nick snapped.

“Emma, well go in a minute,” Paul muttered, pushing himself up from the table.

“How dare you speak to my wife like that?”

“Calm down. Everyone, out.”

Emma ushered the guests out, shoved James onto the sofa, and started cleaning. Her mother-in-law, Margaret, would be arriving soon. Let her see what her son had been up to.

By the time Margaret arrived, Emma had tidied everything and even thrown together a quick dinnertheir guests had eaten everything in sight. The leftovers had gone straight into the bin.

“Margaret, Mary, Ive missed you!”

“Mum, Grandma brought a kitten! Its ginger. Grandad called it a sly little fox.”

“Mary!”

“Thats what he said.”

“Wash your hands, well have dinner and tea.”

“Wheres James? I called him, but he didnt answer.”

“Asleep. Hes been celebrating with the neighbours for three days. I come home from work and kick them out, but by morning, it starts again. I should just lock him out. Everything was fine until Pauls brother showed up. They share the flat, and Pauls wife wont let them carry on theretheyve got young kids. So theyve made themselves at home here instead.”

“Theyve been friends since primary school. Ever since we moved here, theyve been thick as thieves. But you cant just let it go on. You need to move.”

“Where? The house isnt finished yet, though its nearly there. We ought to go and check on it. Besides, I cant just leave him.”

“Hell come running.”

“Who will?” James appeared in the kitchen doorway.

“You. Who else? Drawn in by the smell of food, I suppose?”

“I dont want anything.”

“Good. Emma is packing her things to leave.”

“Where?”

“Whats it to you? You need to clear out toothis flat belongs to me and your father. Ill be renting it out. I dont need layabouts here. Find your own place.”

“What place, Mum?” Nick looked stunned. “Weve got a house being built.”

“A house? Well, think about itwhose house is it? Who paid for it? Thats rightEmma and you. But you used our money. Emma and Mary will live there. Emma, dont stand therepack your things and Marys.”

“I wont let you take my daughter!”

“Oh, youre scaring me.”

“Shes mine. Emmas got no claim on her.”

“And when she became her mother, did she have a claim then? Arent you ashamed? Shes her mother! And dont you dare say another word in front of her. Just pack your things.”

“Mum, Im your son. What about me?”

“So? The flat needs to be empty by tomorrow. Were leaving now.”

“Where?”

“To check on their house and hurry the builders along. Theres not much left to do. Well order the furniture while were at it.”

“And me?”

“Why do you care? Youve got your friendstheyll take you in.”

“No, you cant do this.”

“Ive said all I have to. Emma, have you got everything? Lets go. Take the car keys.”

“In my car?”

“You want us to walk? Youre in no state to drive.”

“Well go to ours tonight and see about the house tomorrow,” Margaret said. “Its the weekend. Well air it out, rest. And he can think about what hes done.”

The next morning, James stood on his parents doorstep with his bags. His mother wasnt one to jokeif she said something, she meant it.

“What do you want?”

“Mum, you told me to clear the flat. Its done. Ill stay here for now, then find somewhere else. Ill take Emma and Mary back. Where are they?”

“Theyre here, but soon well go look at their house.”

“Ive been looking for them. Mum, can we talk? Its my fault. Its the brothers. You know Nick and Paulyou cant shake them off.”

“Which is exactly why you wont be living with them anymore.”

Emma and James reconciled. She was hurt, but she believed him.

“No more neighbours, no more friends.”

“Watch it, or you wont see Mary again. Shell stay with me. And the baby too”

“Baby? Baby! We need to finish the house faster. I have to tell Mum!”

“Dont shoutshe knows. Might not be a boy, might be another girl. Its still early.”

“Doesnt mattergirl or boy. Youre my Emma!” James spun her around the room.

“Careful. Put me down.”

The family moved into their new house. Marys little brother was born right after they settled in.

“Mary, come see your brother,” Grandma said.

“Hes so tiny. Mines bigger. Mummy gave him to me. Now weve got two mums. Right, Grandma?”

“Yes, love.”

“Im not little. Hes little. And Mum said we could get a sly little fox too. Or”

“Mary!”

“Grandad says it!”

Life taught James that family comes firstfriends may come and go, but those who stand by you deserve your best. Sometimes, the hardest lessons bring the sweetest rewards.