З життя
My Brother Went on Holiday and Asked Me to Look After Mum. I Never Expected It Would Cost Me So Much
One day, my brother rang me up and told me that he and his family were heading off on holiday. He didnt want to leave our mum on her own, so he asked if I could have her stay at mine for a bit. I honestly didnt mind, seeing as my brother and his lot had been looking after Mum for ages anyway. My mum has always been a bit of a handful, and she knows exactly how to make a scene out of nothing.
Ive only got the one bed in my flat, so I ended up giving in and sleeping on the floor so she could have it. In the beginning, everything seemed fine. But when it came time to go to bed, Mum started complaining that she wasnt comfortable, something was digging into her back, that sort of thing. The thing is, Id only just bought that mattress and theres no way it should have been uncomfortable. I ended up finding her an extra duvet, hoping that would finally settle her, but of course, it didnt make a blind bit of difference. She was still restless.
The next morning, I woke up, made myself a cup of tea and got ready for work as usual. Just as I was leaving, Mum asked, Where are you off to? Whos going to give me my injection?
I was completely caught off guardno one had told me anything about injections. I rang my brother, and it turns out Mum knows very well how to do her own injections. Knowing that, I went off to work, already running an hour and a half late.
When I got home that evening, I found Mum lying on the sofa, wheezing and finding it hard to breathe. It was a struggle to even help her sit up. It turned out shed eaten a load of things shes not supposed to, and that was making her ill.
You dont care about me. Thats why this happens. Do you want me to die? she said.
I cant just quit my job and look after you full time, I replied.
The fact is, shes still capable of taking care of herself. Some years back, my brother sold Mums flat and bought himself a three-bedroom house, so he took Mum in with his family. Now, I really dont know how to handle Mums whims and fancies. She acts just like a child, but unlike a child, her behaviour doesnt bring me any joy. Shes just unbearable.
