“You’re doing well, so you should support your family!”
“Isabelle, are you home?”
“No, I’m on the way. What’s up?”
“We need to talk. How long until you’re here?”
“About half an hour. Is everything alright, Mum?”
“You’ll find out later.”
This exchange happened between Isabelle and her mum, Margaret.
Isabelle barely had time to change clothes and unpack the groceries when the doorbell rang.
“Mum, what’s going on?”
Margaret glanced around the flat suspiciously and then walked through.
“I see you’ve bought a new TV.”
“Yes.”
“Living the high life,” Margaret muttered as she headed to the kitchen.
“Tea or coffee?”
“I’ll manage. I’m here on business.”
However, Margaret couldn’t help but notice the expensive ham and the heap of fruit.
“I told you, you’re living grandly. Look at how much you’ve bought.”
“Yes, Mum. We can afford it.”
“We spent our whole lives working in factories, and you’re building businesses. Lucky you!”
Indeed, Isabelle and her husband, Paul, had their own business, which they started from scratch. No one helped them or provided funds for the initial investment.
They achieved it all through their own hard work. They took a risk and took out a loan, even with the chance it could all fail and leave them in debt. At that time, no one supported the young family. And later, they were criticized for living better than the rest of the family.
From her mother’s tone, Isabelle could sense that nothing good was coming. It was either another plea or a complaint.
“Here’s what I wanted to discuss. Your sister, Harriet, has been working for pennies for months. You know she got a job as a shop assistant.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” Isabelle nodded.
“Well, I was thinking, wouldn’t it be great if you offered her a job in your company?”
“What do you mean?” Isabelle was surprised.
“Exactly that. You’re hiring, aren’t you?”
“No, our team is full.”
Margaret cast a reproachful look at her daughter.
“So, there are absolutely no openings?”
“I’m telling you, we have no vacancies.”
But this argument didn’t deter Margaret, and she kept pressing.
“You know, I get the feeling you just don’t want to help your sister. That’s why you’re making excuses.”
Isabelle understood why her mother had started this conversation. It was not surprising, and certainly not the first time.
Since childhood, it had been clear that Margaret had a special fondness for Harriet, her younger daughter. This meant always giving her the best.
So Harriet grew accustomed to having everything handed to her. Unlike Isabelle, who strived to earn her way and sought a better life.
While their parents worked, you couldn’t drag the younger sister to work with wild horses. Eventually, it became necessary, because you couldn’t live on a pension alone.
With no education or work experience, she wasn’t exactly a sought-after hire anywhere. Unlike Isabelle, who had been working since she was 18 and earning her degree simultaneously.
Slowly, she worked towards starting her own business with her husband and living on her terms. Yet, Harriet remained dissatisfied with life. But she didn’t want to make changes herself.
It was much easier if someone else did it for her. Mother, for example, or her sister. And Margaret wasn’t much different. She believed Isabelle was obligated to help her younger sister. So she held her ground.
“Mum, I’ve already explained everything.”
“Indeed. It’s easier for you to hire strangers than to help your family.”
However, Isabelle and Paul had one firm rule they adhered to—never hire relatives. Why? Because they start to slack off and take advantage.
They had made that mistake once and vowed not to repeat it. In the end, business should not be mixed with friends or relatives.
But that wasn’t the only reason Isabelle was reluctant to help her sister. Initially, their relationship was never very good.
You could even say they couldn’t stand each other from childhood. The foundation was laid when their mother started dividing them and always giving Harriet preferential treatment.
What exactly did she expect with such an attitude towards her elder daughter?
“Mum, I told you I can’t help. I’m not going to fire anyone to hire Harriet.”
“You’re selfish, there’s no doubt! But then, what can you expect from your lot? You’re well-off and don’t understand us ordinary people.”
Margaret turned and headed for the door. Despite showing her character and resentment, she took the bag of groceries.
Isabelle didn’t stop her, understanding it was pointless. Moreover, her mother would interpret any attempt as a sign of weakness.
That evening, Paul returned home and noticed immediately that Isabelle had been crying.
“Isabelle, what happened?”
“Mum came over.”
“I see. Asked about your sister again?”
“Yes.”
Paul wrapped Isabelle in his arms, showing his support.
“I hope you didn’t take her words to heart?”
“No, I’ve long since grown used to her antics,” Isabelle shook her head.
“That’s right. You know well enough that the moment you give in, they’ll step all over you.”
“Yes, I know, but it still hurts.”
Just then, the phone rang, and Harriet’s number appeared on the screen.
“Hello,” she answered, trying to sound indifferent.
“I don’t understand, are you that stingy?”
“What do you mean? Harriet, what are you talking about?”
At first, Isabelle thought she was talking about the job, but it turned out to be something else entirely.
“I saw the ham and fruits Mum brought back. Why did you give so little? You could have given more. After all, you make good money.”
Isabelle sighed heavily before responding:
“And why on earth do you think I owe you anything?”
“Because I’m your sister, and you should help me.”
“No, dear. I owe you nothing. Nor do you owe me. Each of us lives our own life and means. If you want to live better, go and find opportunities. Stop waiting for handouts.”
She thought Harriet would hang up angrily after that, but Harriet had a response ready.
“It’s easy for you to talk, with your own business and everything handed to you. But what about me?”
“Then get up and build your own, what’s stopping you? Go for it!”
Isabelle didn’t want to hear any more reproaches. She knew her sister and mother were incorrigible. Trying to prove her point was a waste of time.
Indeed, you should appreciate those who value you and shouldn’t feel obligated to please someone just because they’re family.
