The times never change, only the people do.
“Tanya, have you no shame left at all?!” Olga asked her younger sister in a trembling voice.
“Olly, you of all people shouldn’t lecture me about shame! Mum and I have done our part—now it’s your turn. Take her in with Rob and see what it’s like to live with an old woman under the same roof. We’ve had enough!” Tanya’s last words were deliberately loud before she slammed the phone down.
Olga listened to the dial tone blankly before murmuring, “The nerve of her… Absolutely shameless.”
…Olga and Tanya were sisters. Their parents, Gregory Alexander and Helen Nicholas, had married as students. A year after the wedding, their first child was born—Olly. Back then, money was tight, barely enough for essentials.
Years later, Gregory was given a two-bedroom flat by the company he worked for, easing their struggles. Helen, already teaching piano at a music academy, took on private students in the evenings, adding to their income. When Olga turned ten, Tanya arrived.
From the start, their parents doted on the youngest. Every whim, every desire—granted without question. Tanya quickly learned to twist this to her advantage, pulling the spotlight her way with practiced ease.
“Olly, you’re older—just let your sister have it!” Helen chided one evening.
“But Mum, I bought that notebook for myself! She’s too little for it anyway!”
“I want it, Mummy!” Tanya wailed theatrically.
And just like that, the notebook was hers. Tanya refused to learn to read, refused speech therapy—she only ever wanted things her way. Any resistance was met with dramatic tantrums.
At sixteen and six, tragedy struck. Gregory collapsed at work—heart failure. Gone at forty. Friends and neighbors mourned; such a young man, a life cut short. But Helen took it hardest. Something inside her broke. She withdrew, barely noticing even Olga. All her love poured into Tanya, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Gregory.
“Mum, my jeans are falling apart, and you keep buying Tanya new dresses! Her wardrobe’s overflowing!”
“Oh, Olly, must you fuss? You’re practically grown—soon you’ll finish school, get a job, buy whatever you like. But poor Tanya… lost her father so young! And how he adored her…” Helen wiped away a tear.
Olga left for university in another city.
“Honestly, Olly, I thought I’d miss you more. But this works out—I can redo Tansy’s room properly now, like a princess’s!”
“So you’re throwing out my bed the second I’m gone? I was planning to visit on weekends—”
“Of course! That old thing? You can sleep on the fold-out in my room or the kitchen. Tansy needs her own space—she’s got her whole schooling ahead!”
That September, Helen began renovating.
“Olly, we should’ve sent you off sooner! Tansy’s desperate for her room—she can’t wait!”
“Mum, why even bother? It was fine! By the way, I need money for Freshers’ Week—”
“If you want extra cash, get a job! The reno’s cost me a fortune—I took a loan! And Tansy’s outgrown her clothes, needs new ones. She’s always wanting cinema trips, ice cream…”
“You buy her everything. Why am I different?”
“You’re an adult now. I worked through uni—it didn’t kill me. Tansy’s still a child, and after losing her dad…”
“I lost him too!”
“Yes, but you were older. Time to stand on your own feet!”
Visits home grew rare. Olga took weekend jobs, met Rob, moved into a rented flat, married, and took out a mortgage.
“Darling, I’d help, but you know how things are…” Helen sighed.
“How are they, Mum?”
“Tansy’s tuition! Tutors cost a fortune!”
“I managed without tutors!”
“Different times. She wants to study interpreting—probably a paid course. I’m saving for that. You’ll manage. Think before you borrow!”
Olga stopped arguing. By then, Tanya ruled the household.
When Olga’s son Ethan was born, she called: “Mum, could you come help, even briefly?”
“How can I? Tansy’s revising for finals! She needs meals, support—”
“I had exams too. Right after Dad died.”
“That was then! I want better for Tansy.”
Tanya graduated, married swiftly, and stayed with Helen. Two years later, she had a son—Nathan. Helen adored him, showering him with everything. Olga stayed out of it, agreeing only that Nathan mirrored Tanya’s demanding nature.
“Mum, did you quit your job?” Olga asked once.
“Yes. Nathan’s at grammar school now—someone must take him. It’s clear across town!”
“But that’s half an hour by bus! At least let me talk to Tansy—”
“No! He’s brilliant—our local school’s beneath him!”
Years passed. Nathan grew. Tanya and her husband bought a new flat, preparing to leave. The stress triggered Helen’s heart attack.
“Tanya, either take Mum in or stay with her. She’ll need care,” Olga said.
“Are you mad? We’ve just done the place up—do you have any idea what that cost?!”
“So you’re leaving her alone?”
“Why alone? Take her yourself! We’ve done our bit!”
“After all Mum’s done for you?!”
“Don’t lecture me! She’s got her own flat—figure it out!” The line went dead.
Helen returned from hospital to emptiness. Tanya’s family had already moved.
“Olly, Tanya’s not answering… Are they alright?”
“They’re fine. On holiday in Spain. Don’t stress—it’s bad for you.”
Olga and Rob took Helen in. Over time, realization dawned.
“Olly… I’ve wronged you. Pushed you aside your whole life. And look at you—you’ve built everything yourself. I think of it every day… There’s no forgiving me.”
“Mum, stop. What’s done is done. Take a couple of students—you’re a wonderful teacher.”
“Won’t I be in the way?”
“Don’t be silly. Rob, Ethan, and I are glad you’re here.”
Weeks later, Tanya called. Olga hoped it was guilt.
“Olly, is Mum staying with you permanently?”
“Yes. She’s recovering, even teaching again—”
“Good. Then I’ll rent out her flat. Nathan’s tutors cost a fortune these days, and his school—”
“Tansy—” The line cut abruptly.
Tanya had hung up.
