Times may always be the same, but people are different.
“Tanya, have you no shame left at all?” Olivia asked her younger sister, her voice trembling.
“Liv, you’re the last one who should talk about shame! Mum and I have done our part—now it’s your turn to take care of her. Let you and Ryan see what it’s like living with an elderly parent under one roof. We’ve had enough!” Tanya’s final words were sharp before she slammed the phone down.
Olivia heard the dial tone, paused for a moment, then muttered under her breath,
“Rude. Absolutely shameless…”
Olivia and Tanya were sisters. Their parents, Gregory and Helen, married young, while still at university. A year after the wedding, their first child, Olivia, was born. The young family lived modestly, stretching every penny just to get by.
Years later, Gregory was given a two-bedroom flat by the company he worked for—life became easier. Helen, who taught piano at a music school, also took private students in the evenings, bringing in extra money. By the time Olivia turned ten, her little sister, Tanya, arrived.
Tanya became the apple of her parents’ eye. Every whim, every wish—granted without question. It didn’t take long for Tanya to notice this pattern and start deliberately pulling attention her way.
“Liv, you’re the older one—give in to your sister!” Helen chided once again.
“Mum, why does she need that notebook? I bought it for myself—she’s too young anyway!”
“But I want it…!” Tanya wailed, tears streaming.
Seconds later, the coveted item was in her hands. Tanya refused to learn to read, refused speech therapy—she only wanted things her way. Any resistance sparked tantrums that the entire household had to endure.
When Olivia turned sixteen and Tanya was six, tragedy struck. Gregory collapsed from a sudden heart attack at work. Friends, neighbours, colleagues—everyone mourned. Forty years old, so much life ahead, so many dreams unfulfilled.
Helen took it hardest. Something inside her snapped. She withdrew, barely noticing anything—even Olivia faded into the background. All her love, all her energy went to seven-year-old Tanya, who looked just like her late father.
“Mum, my jeans are falling apart, and you keep buying Tanya new dresses! Her wardrobe’s overflowing!” Olivia protested.
“Oh, Liv, must you always fuss? You’re nearly grown—soon you’ll finish school, go to uni, get a job, buy whatever you like. But poor Tanya… lost her dad so young. He adored her, spoiled her rotten…” Helen wiped away a tear.
Olivia finished school and moved away for university.
“You know, Liv, I thought I’d miss you—but honestly, it’s a relief! I want to redo Tanya’s room, make it fit for a princess!” Helen chirped.
“So you’re throwing out my bed as soon as I leave? I was planning to visit on weekends…” Olivia muttered, hurt.
“Of course I am—that old thing? You can sleep on the foldout or share my room. Tanya deserves her own space—she’s got her whole school life ahead!”
By September, Olivia was gone, and Helen threw herself into renovations.
“Liv, we should’ve sent you off earlier—then the room’d be done before term started! Tanya’s desperate for her own space,” Helen complained over the phone.
“Mum, why even bother? The room was fine! By the way—Freshers’ Week costs money. Can you send me some?”
“Oh, Liv, if you need extras, get a job! The reno’s cost a fortune—I took out a loan. Then there’s Tanya’s new clothes, cinema trips, ice cream… the list never ends!”
“You buy her everything—why not me?”
“You’re an adult—time to fend for yourself! I worked through uni—it didn’t kill me. Tanya’s just a child—she’s suffered enough!”
“I lost Dad too.”
“You were older—time to grow up!” Helen shut her down.
Olivia rarely visited. She took weekend shifts, met Ryan, and they moved in together. Later, they married, bought a flat with a mortgage.
“Darling, I’d help with the mortgage, but you know how tight things are…” Helen sighed.
“How so?”
“Tanya’s tutors cost a fortune!”
“I managed without tutors.”
“Times have changed! She wants to study translation—likely a paid course. I’ve got to save. You and Ryan will manage—you’re grown-ups! Should’ve thought before borrowing!”
Olivia didn’t argue—Tanya ruled the roost now.
Soon, Olivia and Ryan welcomed their first son, Alfie.
“Mum, could you come help with Alfie, even for a bit?”
“Oh, Liv, I can’t—Tanya’s revising for her A-levels! She needs meals, support…”
“I sat exams too—worse, right after Dad died.”
“That was then! I want Tanya to have every chance!”
Tanya graduated, married quickly, and moved in with Helen. Two years later, her son, Noah, was born. Helen doted on him—he lacked for nothing. Olivia stayed out of it, though she agreed—Noah was just like Tanya, demanding, never denied.
“Mum, did you quit your job?” Olivia asked once.
“Yes. Noah’s at school now—someone’s got to take him. And his new academy’s across town!”
“That’s a 25-minute bus ride! You’ll wear yourself out! Let me talk to Tanya—”
“No! Noah’s brilliant—he can’t waste his potential!”
Years passed. Noah grew up. Tanya and her husband bought a new flat—without Helen. The stress triggered a heart attack.
“Tanya, Mum needs care—either take her or stay with her,” Olivia urged.
“Are you mad? We’ve just done the place up—do you know what that cost?!”
“So you’re leaving her alone?”
“Why not? She’s got a flat! Your turn now!”
“After all she’s done for you?!”
“Spare me the lecture! Don’t want her? Fine—she’s got her own place!” The line went dead.
Helen returned home to silence—Tanya had already moved.
“Liv, Tanya’s not answering… Everything alright?”
“They’re in Ibiza, Mum. Rest—don’t upset yourself.”
Olivia and Ryan took Helen in. She wept, realising too late—
“Liv, I’m so sorry… All those years I ignored you, and look at you—built your own life. I don’t deserve forgiveness…”
“Mum, stop. What’s done is done. Take a few pupils—you’re a wonderful teacher.”
“Won’t I be in your way?”
“Don’t be silly—we’re happy to have you.”
Weeks later, Tanya called. Olivia hoped guilt had finally struck.
“Liv—is Mum staying with you for good?”
“Yes. She’s recovering, taken on a student—”
“Good. Then I’ll rent her flat—Noah’s tutors cost a fortune!”
“Tanya—” The line went dead before Olivia could protest.
