Did you register him on the electoral roll? I could hardly believe my ears. My mother had never even thought of such a thing.
Whats the problem? Is Ian supposed to be a permanent lodger? she whispered, constantly glancing at the man sharing our flat.
Hes already forty; he ought to have his own place by now, I retorted.
My father had died when I was thirteen; my sister, Katie, was only three. No one could help us our only maternal grandmother had passed away two years earlier, and we had no other relatives.
Honestly, I hadnt been too attached to my father. He was always on army detachments, and we barely saw him. Still, he provided for us, and now we struggled on my mothers modest wage as a shop assistant.
I felt sorry for her. Losing the familys breadwinner left her wandering, and I tried to support her as best I could taking odd jobs, helping around the house, looking after Katie. I never objected when, a year later, she brought home a man called Nicholas.
Nicholas was a stranger, but his presence made my mother happy again; she smiled more, seemed younger. The peace lasted a few months before Nicholas vanished.
He turned out to be married, my mother sobbed to our neighbour, Mrs. Brown. He was only on a work assignment. Of course its nicer to live in a cosy flat than a hotel!
Oh, Annie, Mrs. Brown sighed. You have two children youd do better looking after them than chasing after strangers.
After Nicholas came the gruff Stephen Clarke, who called my mother his little swallow and referred to Katie and me as his chicks. He stayed for half a year. Then there was Timothy, a quiet, unobtrusive, very polite fellow who lasted three months.
Why luck never seemed to favour my mother with men, I never understood. She was pretty, tidy, caring After Timothy, there was a lull.
I dont need anyone, my mother announced to Mrs. Brown. God has given me good children Ill raise them and be content.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I was sixteen then, dreaming of attending university in another city.
Because of my late grandmother, I had started school at six, so I couldnt leave without my mothers blessing, and I couldnt abandon Katie to a mother whose attention was constantly drawn to new men.
Dont be absurd, son! my mother exclaimed, waving her hands when I mentioned my plans near the end of Year Eleven. Of course you may go. Katie and I will manage. I wont be able to help you financially, though, she said sadly.
Ill fend for myself, I replied, buoyed. Will you be all right?
Well be just fine, she insisted.
I didnt yet know why my mother let me go so easily. I enrolled at university, moved into a hall of residence, studied hard and took evening shifts. It wasnt easy, but I was ready for hardship.
I hadnt expected how much I would miss my mother, and especially my little sister.
Katie and I were inseparable; she looked at me like a hero and obeyed everything. She wept when she heard I was leaving, yet later declared firmly that it would be better for me and that she would wait for my return.
A few months after my departure, Katies voice over the telephone we spoke at least once every three days grew weak and melancholy, and one day she broke down in tears.
Listen, my little mouse, I said sternly. Dry your eyes and tell me whats wrong. Only the truth you know lying isnt right.
She obeyed, and within five minutes a chill ran down my spine at what she confessed.
It turned out that as soon as I left, Mother brought home Uncle Ian a boisterous fellow who immediately claimed authority over the house.
He was a plain electrician from a small firm, balding and redfaced, hardly a heartbreaker, but he acted like a king with both my mother and her daughter. Mother lay at his feet, forgetting Katie completely.
Eightyearold Katie walked to school two streets away on her own and returned alone. Mother stopped taking her to the swimming pool and to her theatre lessons: If you want to go, go by yourself. Learn to be independent.
Uncle Ian insisted Katie should cook, wash, and iron for herself. Mother tried to keep some control, but it was only temporary. Moreover, Katie was forbidden to leave her room without permission whenever Ian was home, and she had to avoid his sight as much as possible.
Has Mother lost her mind? I muttered after hearing her sisters lament. Ill talk to her. Dont cry, my little mouse, Ill sort this out.
But the confrontation brought no resolution.
Did I not deserve a bit of happiness? Mother shot back when I blamed her for Katies suffering. Ian is a fine man! Katie is just spoiled she needs discipline.
Katie? Mother had always called her Katie affectionately, reserving Katherine for rare moments of anger. Now the name changed with the tone.
Mom, are you feeling alright? Does anything hurt? I asked gently.
Fine, Im fine, she snapped, then softened: Katie is only being a bit dramatic She misses you, thats why shes making up stories to get your sympathy.
I doubted Katies fabrications, yet I had no reason to disbelieve my mother. I tried to calm myself and focus on my studies, hoping to finish the exams early and secure a job.
Money was scarce. I didnt drink, smoke, or spend evenings in clubs with classmates.
I managed to pass the exams, earning credits in almost every subject, but had to turn down the job offer.
Im terrified of him, Katie whispered into the phone, frightening me. They argue all the time, and he never leaves his room, or he roams the flat naked
What do you mean, completely?
Yes, she choked out, Im scared of him.
My imagination had never been vivid, but now grotesque pictures crowded my mind. I caught the first bus home and discovered Katies fears were true.
Uncle Ian strutted around the flat like a swaggering actor, looking down on me and shouting at my mother:
Your son has arrived, yet you havent set a table for the men.
She smiled obsequiously at Ian: Soon, Ian, soon everything will be ready.
I refused to drink with the owner. I slipped into Katies room, where she now wept with relief.
From the doorway I heard Ian say to my mother, You raised a boy with no respect for elders, and she muttered something frightened in reply.
It took me a couple of days to realise Katie hadnt imagined anything. Ian ruled the house with an iron fist, trying to command even me, but I snapped back immediately.
Dont tell me what to do in my own home!
Ah, Ian threatened. Your son doesnt see me as a man. Explain that to him.
My son, whats all this fuss about? Mother hurried in. Ian is also listed on the lease you two should sort it out, since we all live here together
Did you register him on the electoral roll? I asked, bewildered. Mother had never even considered that before.
Whats the matter? Is Ian just a permanent guest? she muttered, glancing at him.
Hes forty now he ought to have his own flat!
While they bickered, the front door slammed. Ian, clearly upset, stormed out. Mother flinched and tried to follow, but I held her back.
Mum, whats happening? I tried to meet her eyes. Is he feeding you something? Should we see a doctor?
What do you know? she burst into tears. Maybe for the first time in my life Ive fallen in love! And Ian loves me! Do you think its easy to live without a husband? she sobbed.
Honestly, I was at a loss. I felt sorry for my mother, for my sister, and for myself I couldnt abandon them both. My studies suffered, my heart ached.
The greatest task was to rid the house of Uncle Ian.
No pleading or moralising swayed my mother. It was as if Ian had hypnotised her.
I had to find another way. Fortunately, the internet now holds an answer to every problem.
Mother, either you throw this lodger out, or Ill take it to court, I declared firmly.
What court, son? Ian lives here legally, Mother replied, equally resolute.
Well see. You registered him when I was a minor; now things have changed. Think about it, I insisted.
Ian, unwilling to face disgrace in court, moved out two days later.
Mother now looked at me with reproachful, tearfilled eyes, then brightened a little and began disappearing from the house it seemed she had reconciled with her lover.
I transferred to parttime study and found work back in my hometown. I hope Mother will come to her senses, and for now I remain nearby, just in case anything else happens.
