Packed My Bags and Left My Relative Behind

You think I dont understand why youve come all the way here? Aunt Margaret sneered, her smile as sharp as a teaspoon. The house is lovely, the gardens a tidy sixacre plot right in the centre of the village. Youre not daft, Emily! Youve done the maths, havent you?

I was just rinsing the dishes when Aunt Margaret slipped through the front door.

Mrs. Margaret, what on earth are you on about? I sighed. Which house? You asked me to come over when you were in the hospital.

Id long suspected that my aunt wasnt thrilled to have me under her roof, but shed asked for help, and I was the one who needed the excuse. Shed just undergone an operation and now required a pair of steady hands.

Dont try to twist my words! she snapped, stepping toward me.

A sudden whiff of her overpowering perfume hit my nose and I nearly lost my footing.

I asked for a hand, not a freerider! she continued. I thought youd stay a week, maybe two at most. Yet youve already moved your suitcase in, claimed a bedroom, and even set up camp in the kitchen!

She meant that chipped white mug Id found in the back of a cupboard and taken for myself. In her eyes that was proof of some grand scheme.

Every morning at six Im up tending your beds, at lunch I race home to heat your soup, and in the evenings Im scrubbing the floors and washing the laundry. Weekends Im mowing your lawn because you cant bend over with your blood pressure, and you think Im doing all this for an inheritance?

Because what else could it be? she huffed, irritated. A pretty young thing like you, no life of your own, nothing better to do?

I wanted to tell her how sorry I felt for her, lonely now that the doctor said she couldnt manage without a helper. I had hoped to stay a while, get her back on her feet, and then see what happened.

But looking at Aunt Margaret, I realised arguing would be pointless. Shed never believe me.

You know, Emily, she turned to the stove, pots clanging, Im not newborn. Ive seen helpers like you before. First theyre sweet, then they start eyeing the will. Ill tell you nowyou wont be waiting for any legacy. Ill live on, this is my house, my garden, and Im the only mistress here!

I didnt take offence. It was simply a sudden awakening, a bit of sobering clarity. Her nitpicking had worn me down over the monthstoo much salt in the soup, a poorly ironed shirt, the wrong loaf of bread at the shop. Id blamed it on age and loneliness.

Now I understood it wasnt a bad temper at all; it was a deepseated mistrust. She couldnt see that people could be genuinely helpful.

Youre right, I said. Why should I stick around when you already know everything about me?

I retreated to my room and began packing.

Footsteps echoed outside the door. Aunt Margaret slipped in behind me, watching me pack. Part of her seemed pleased, but then, at the last moment, she looked as if shed realised I might actually leave. Perhaps she thought I was just stringing her along.

What are you up to? she asked, wavering.

Im leaving, I muttered over my shoulder. Just as you wanted. I wont be eyeballing your inheritance any longer.

Oh, I didnt mean it like that, she hurried, her tone softening.

Where will you go? Your flats already full of lodgers.

Ill manage, I replied. Ill crash at Kats for a night, then find a place.

Dont get all worked up, she waved a hand. I was only being blunt, thats all.

Margaret, I said calmly, do you know why I really came?

Oh? Do tell.

Because mum always said, Aunt Margaret is a tough old bird, but shes all alone. No one else in the family. When you called from the hospital I thought, How is she coping? High blood pressure, a garden, that massive house? So I camenot for a month, just to help.

So its about helping for the house, she muttered, a little less sure now.

That frail, arthritisshaken woman with twisted fingers refused to believe my sincerity until the very end.

No, I zipped my bag, just to help. Because youre family. Because thats the right thing. But you dont want help. You prefer everyone around you to be a scoundrel. Its easier for you to see yourself as a victim and the world as hostile. You wont even consider that I might simply be a decent person who cares about you. So we cant live under the same roof.

Aunt Margaret looked stunned and fell silent. I couldnt tell if shed grasped anything.

Im going, I said. Do what you will. Keep blaming everyone of greed. But remember, if you ever feel poorly again, recall this chat. Remember how you accused the only person who showed up for you of ulterior motives. Thats the last straw.

I slipped into the hallway, laced my trainers, grabbed my coat from the rack. Aunt Margaret stared, a mix of hurt, anger, and bewilderment.

The gardens still watered, I called as I left. The laundrys in the dryer, just needs hanging. There are enough mince pies for two days in the fridgejust heat them up. Your bloodpressure tablets sit on the bedside table. Dont forget them.

Emily she began, but the door was already shut.

How could it be? I thought. How can someone be so convinced that everyones out to steal their goodwill?

With those thoughts I stepped out into the village square, turned back at the gate, and saw Aunt Margaret on the porch, watching me go. I spent the whole walk to the bus stop replaying everything. And the saddest part? Shell surely find an excuse for herself, feel no shame, and keep casting herself as the perpetual victim.