It’s Your Duty to Pay for Me, Just Like My Father Did – I Deserve This Right!

Its your duty to foot the bill for me, just as my dad did. Ive got every right to it!

Mabel decided she needed a new pair of socks, so she headed to the shop.

Are you going to cover all your expenses with the allowance your father sends for me? her teenage son asked.

His mother, Susan, didnt really want to answer. Her husband had recently transferred childsupport into his exwifes account and urged her to buy the boy proper clothes, since hed been wearing the same ragged things for years.

What does that even mean? Susan asked her son, thinking shed misheard. Why are you using the support money I get from my dad only for stuff you actually need?

The comment almost brought Susan to tears, and she put the socks back on the shelf.

This is a nice sweatshirt, she muttered, heading for the changing rooms to try it on.

Oliver, the boy, decided to grab a few sweatshirts to see which one suited him.

Susan checked the price tag: £45. Adding up the rest of the items, she realised the monthly allowance simply wouldnt cover everything, so shed have to top it up.

This is a bargain for me! Oliver shouted, tossing the sweatshirt into a basket with the other clothes.

The checkout clerk at Westfield started bagging the purchases.

Thatll be £475, she said.

I only have £400 on me. Leave out a few things you dont need right now, Susan suggested.

Im not leaving anything behind, so pay with your own money. My dad doesnt have to support me alone. By law Im entitled to it.

Alright then, Mabel replied, pulling out her wallet, handing over the cash and placing it on the till. Thats a months worth of expenses. Do what you like. Pay for your clothes, but dont forget your meals. Im not giving you any more money. Good luck! She gave a serious look and walked out.

That evening Oliver came home with several bags of new brandname gear.

I managed to get some shoesvery stylish. Do we have anything left in the fridge? he asked.

Youve got leather shoes now, right? I suggest you cook them.

Mum, Im deadserious.

Did you think I was joking?

Id better call my dad; youre talking nonsense.

Fine, good luck, Susan said with a smile.

Later, Oliver dialled his father. Hey, can I crash at your place for a month or so? What? Why are you on holiday? Could you at least send some money? Im broke Alright, talk later.

How did that chat go with Dad?

The boy trudged back to his room, looking glum, while his father rang his exwife.

What happened between you two? he asked.

She explained that Oliver now believes everythings his right and that we have to provide for him, she said in detail. He has nerve, but its better to feed him; otherwise hell starve, and then you can deduct the amount from the childsupport. Anything left over goes to him.

Three hours later the internet at home flickered off, and Oliver turned on his mother again.

Why do you think Ill pay for the broadband now? Youre getting cheeky, just like Dad said.

And next month Im moving in with my dad.

Do you really think a family with three kids will need you?

I promise Ill stay with him.

Okay, but you should know you wont get any support next month. Dad told me I have to feed you, and the money I give you will be taken out of the allowance later.

Susan then told him how much she spent each month on the two of themfar more than the actual support. That made Oliver realise hed been unfair to his mother. He apologised to both her and his dad, and over the school holidays took a parttime job to help his mum a bit financially.