Big Sister, Not the Babysitter: When Family Duties Clash with Growing Up – The Smiths’ Family Drama …

The Babysitter for My Brother

Whats wrong, Emma? Still not answering?

Shes not answering! Emma tossed her mobile onto the countertop. She hasnt picked up since six! I didnt go to Mums because of her Ive got to cook here, Ive got to cook there, and theres no one to watch Jack Some help shes turned out to be!

At that moment, the front door latch clicked.

Oh, you lot are still up then? Lucy called over her shoulder, not bothering to remove her headphones as she headed, ignoring her parents, for her room.

But Mum, of course, wouldnt let her off that easily.

Lucy! Stop right there! Mums sharp tone brought Lucy to a halt, but not to turn around. Where do you think youre going? Lateby how much, eh? Six hours! Dont you think you ought to explain yourself?

Lucy tugged out her headphones. Why all the drama?

You promised! Emma said, distraught, You promised youd stay with Jack!

Lucy, desperate just to fall into bed, muttered through clenched teeth, Well, it didnt work out, did it? Nobody died. You were here, anyway.

I told you about this a week ago! I said Id need you to stay with your brother tonightDads doing the evening shift, he never makes it, and I had to go to Mums. Dont you care about your brother, or your grandmother for that matter? And dont you care about your own mother!

But Lucy hadnt managed it. Shed lingered with her course mates, then Tom suggested everyone come back to his for a laugh Before she knew it, hours had slipped by. She simply lost track.

Thats what Lucy told herself, at least.

For her phone hadnt actually died. Shed switched it off on purpose.

I promised, Mum, but something came up. Plans changed.

Breathe on me, Mum demanded.

What, are we in prison now? Lucy scoffed.

Youve been drinking, Mum said matter-of-factly. Parties are, evidently, more important than your family.

That set Lucy off.

Yes, they are, actually! I never agreed to be the family nanny, and I wont be sitting with Jack anymore. You wanted a late-in-life childwell, deal with it. Ive got my own life.

Dad, who had never so much as raised his voice at Lucy, finally cut in.

Were not making you the nanny. We hardly ever ask anything of you! But tonight we really needed your help, and you promised, Lucy. You were six hours late. You turned off your phone. Now youre blaming us?

Im not blaming you, but Jack is your responsibility. Yes, I was outso was everyone else. Do you think I should be left out?

Theyd always tried not to overload Lucy with chores. Shed only just left school not long ago, now off at a prestigious university, studying in a difficult field. They understood, and tried to go easy on her.

But Lucy rarely returned the favour.

You know whats even worse? Mum cut in, Because of you I couldnt go to your grandmothers tonight. She cant even cook for herself! And I cant always be torn between a three-year-old and a sick mother!

Lucy, unravelling the elaborate braid her friend Amy had done, replied coldly, Well, thats your problem, Mum. You wanted a child at your age. You look after him. I dont owe you anything.

The words stung so much even Dad flinched.

Thats enough, Lucy.

Why? Im at uni, I should be meeting people my age. Making friends. Even finding a future husband, maybe! Not stuck at home with you lot and your child!

Dad motioned her to sit at the kitchen table. Lucy listen to me. No ones asking you to be a full-time nanny. We asked for a favoura little help for the family. You agreed.

Lucy, determined not to back down now shed started, snapped, I agreed and then I changed my mind. Life happens.

Life happens, Lucy, but this was you changing plans and not saying a word. I get it, youre busy with your studies, your friends. But youre part of this family, Lucy, and sometimes we need help too. Couldnt you spare a couple of hours a week to watch your brother? Just so we can see the doctor now and then, or, like tonight, visit your gran?

Lucy didnt let him finish. She snorted, tossing her head; pins fell from her hair.

No.

But why?

Because its not my responsibility, Dad. Im not giving up my life for what you want.

Inside, Lucy braced herself for the storm she expected from her parents.

Fine, Dad said quietly, surprising her.

Wait. No shouting? No grabbing for her phone? No lecture about how one day, when theyre gone, shell regret her words?

Thats it? Lucy asked, baffled.

Yes. Thats it. For now, at least.

A bit disconcerted at how easily theyd let her go, Lucy hurried to the bathroom to scrub off her makeup, longing for sleep after such an exhausting evening. If only her parents hadnt started on at her too

But the conversation wasnt over once her parents reached their bedroom.

How can she be so heartless? Emma asked, more sad than angry now. We raised her well, we thought never held back, never punished without reason, never tyrannised her. Yet I feel as if she doesnt care for us at all. Are we meant to beg her to watch her brother in future?

No, said Dad, shaking his head. We wont beg. If she thinks she owes us nothing, well, then we owe her nothing either. Not until she learns what living on her own really means.

***

Morning dawned, but the previous nights conflict lingered unfinished.

Lucy was first into the kitchen. She drank tap water and picked absentmindedly at some dry sandwiches Mum had left in the fridge. When Mum appeared, carrying Jack, Lucy hid behind her phone to avoid a fresh dose of reproach. But Mum ate in silence. Dad joined them, even greeted Lucy:

Morning, he said.

My, youre talking to me now? Lucy said, archly.

Dad opened a folder with all the family finances written out.

Lucy, we need to talk.

She rolled her eyes.

Oh, here we go againmy responsibility, isnt it? I already said Im

Not about that, he interrupted, Well, in part. More about money. Starting this month, youll pay your share for food and bills. I mean ityoull pay your share of the household expenses.

Lucy smirked, thinking this was some twisted jokepayback, perhaps. Shed wound them up last night, now they were winding her up in the morning. Balance and all that.

Ha, Dad. Jokings not really your thing, you know. Im not falling for it.

Dad had clearly prepared overnight.

Not a joke, Lucy. From now on, now that youre independent, youll pay for your shareall of it.

Even Jack, cheeks puffed with toast, looked to Dad for explanation, unnerved by the tone.

What? Lucy could barely get the word out.

You said you owe us nothing. So in that case, youre not dependent on us for living costs either. This month, youll cover your part for food, bills, and, more importantly, your studies.

It started to dawn on Lucyhe wasnt winding her up. He truly meant to charge her. Clearly, they were more upset than shed realised.

Dad, are you hearing yourself? Fine, dont feed me if you want, but my studiesthats sacred. You could never not pay for that. Youd never forgive yourself if I didnt get my degree. I know you.

I could, Dad replied. Youre nineteen, Lucy. An adult. Adults cover their own costs. Weve always said wed support you as long as youre studying and living here, but that support is based on mutual respect, on sharing family life. You chose to opt out. So, from now on, were opting out tooin every way.

Emma, not even trying to feed Jack now, flashed a worried look at her husbandHad they gone too far?

Lucy, holding a piece of cheddar, tossed it back on her plate, stood abruptly, and snapped, Ill leave it, thanks. Wouldnt want to rack up any more debts!

The three of them finished breakfast alone. Lucy thumped about her room getting ready, making as much noise as possible, and stormed off to her lecturesthankfully, at least, still paid for.

Have we gone too far? Emma whispered.

Dad chewed on cheese he couldnt swallow.

No, just right, Em! She wants to be independent, let her learn the cost. Its painful, but necessary. Or shell get used to everything being done for her

After that, Lucy was rarely at homegone early, back late, not eating in. Emma, despite Dads warnings, fretted and lightly pressed Lucy about meals, only to receive a wounded look before Lucy walked past.

A job at a café fell into her lapshe filled in for a friend once, then when her friend quit, Lucy took her place, slogging four-hour shifts after classes, but at least she finally had a bit of money.

Her parents worried, but stood firm.

Shes not even coming for dinner, Andrew. She must be starving. Shell make herself ill if this goes on Emma said.

Shell cool off soon enough, Em. Shell remember families help each other. Shell get over her pride.

By the third month of this cold war, Lucy relented.

All right, count it as a win. I cant do work and uni, not for peanuts anyway. Ill watch Jack a few times a week, for three hours at a time. Call it my job. You win. Here’s money for the flatsaved what I could.

She laid down a hundred poundsno more, but all shed managed. Her parents didnt touch it.

Lucy It was never about the money. Were not blackmailers, her mum said. We looked after you because we wanted to, not because the law said so. Were your parents, and we love you. Couldnt you show us just a bit of that in return? By helping out?

I get it. Im sorry, Lucy murmured, and hugged them herself.