My Daughter Chose to Start Her Grown-Up Life and Moved in with Her Boyfriend—But Two Weeks Later, I Found Alice with Her Bags Near Our Front Door

The other night, I came home and had quite the shock. My daughter, Emily, was in the middle of packing up her thingsclothes, bits of makeup, and all her gadgets. I asked her where on earth she was off to.
Turns out, my 18-year-old Emily had suddenly decided she was all grown up. I actually let out a gasp, I was that surprised. And Emily just said:
Mum, Im moving in with Tom.
What do you mean, moving in? Who is this Tom? Arent you going to introduce him to us? And whose money are you planning to live on? Has he even got a family? I reckon youre rushing into this, I replied, trying to keep my cool.
Mum, come on. Its the 21st century. Im an adultIve got my own life now! she said, like it wasnt the wildest idea ever.
I didnt say anything more. I realised there was nothing I could do to stop her. I just watched as Emily packed up the last of her stuff, quietly saying goodbye to all the bits and bobs she was taking with her. Not that I ever used that blender, to be fair. She finished packing, walked out, and I saw through the window that there was a young man outside helping her carry everything to a car. Well, if she wants to try out being a grown-up, lets see how she gets on! First thing the next day, I got the locks changedwho knows what to expect from Emily and this new boyfriend.
A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and not a peep from my daughter. Honestly, I didnt think shed throw herself into adult life so quickly. Out of the blue, my phone rangit was Emily.
Mum, will you pay my college fees?
I felt awfulmy daughter was calling only to ask if Id cover her tuition. Not even a how are you or anything.
No, love. You wanted to be independent; I dont want to interfere in your business, I told her.
Brilliant. Thanks, Mum, she snapped, and hung up.
Well, its exactly how she wanted it. Now she gets to see what adult life really looks like.
I made up my mind to turn her old room into an office. She doesnt live here anymore, after all. I even picked out a nice desk and some chairs. The bed, I left, just in case she had a change of heart. Maybe shed come home someday.
Two weeks flew by. One evening, I was just getting home from work when I spotted Emily standing by the door, bags in hand, looking absolutely miserable.
Sweetheart, why didnt you let me know you were coming back?
I was embarrassed, Mum. Arent you happy to see me? she asked, rubbing away tears.
Of course Im happy, dont be daft. Come inside, love.
Back in the flat, she started unpacking her things, but I noticed her coffee machine was missing. Turned out shed had to leave it at Toms mums houseapparently, her boyfriends mother took it as payment for board and meals. And get thisTom is thirty. When Emily realised I wasnt going to fork out for her tuition, shed tried asking her boyfriend, but he had absolutely no interest in being responsible for her or paying for his girlfriends education.
But you know what I cant stop thinking about? What on earth was going through Toms head when he brought my unemployed daughter home to his parents?