Youre a genuine treasure, you know that!
Again? Listen, Emily, who did she even have that baby for? For herself or for us? I finish work, want to sit down for dinner, unwind, spend a moment with you, and instead Im forced to watch over someone elses child!
He isnt exactly a stranger, Emily shivered and sighed. Honestly, Im not thrilled either. But Claire insisted she needed a nail trim, and you cant take a toddler into a salon.
Mark fidgeted, unbuttoned his jacket and flung it onto a chair. He had to feed his nephew, and doing it in homeclothes was far easier. The chance of splashing baby purée was, of course, inevitable.
I get it, but no manicure, really? Are you the only one she has? Why does our family feel like a nursery now?
Theres Mum, too, but she cant be on duty every day, Emily muttered, pulling out a packet of spaghetti.
And you, apparently, can, Mark cut in. For everyone except yourself and me.
He first frowned, then exhaled, his face softening: his wife wasnt an enemy, just an indefatigable ally.
Emily, if you dont cut her off the leash, shell keep hanging around, and youll be the one to blameafter all, the one who puts the cart on the road drives it.
Emily pretended to be lost in the kitchen, but inside she sensed the truth in Marks words. She didnt know how to live with it: she didnt want to be a second mother to her nephew, yet she didnt want a family quarrel either.
It all began innocently.
Emily, Ive got a cold, and little Tommy is in my arms. I need to hit the chemist, but I cant leave the child alone. I cant do it by myselfhelp, please.
So Emily leapt into action without a second thought, caring for a sick sister as if rescuing a ship in stormy seas.
Soon rescuing became a habit.
Need to collect the phone from the repair shop? Claires ringing. Ran out of groceries? Emily again. A parcel waiting at the depot? Emily darts off like a personal courier.
Emily could afford such feats because she worked remotely on a flexible schedule, but that didnt make it easy. A fifteenminute walk to Claires flat, roundtrip plus the queue, waiting, and the tiny minutiae of life ate at least an hour.
Now Emily works mostly evenings and occasionally nights, when the flat is quiet. Her husband isnt thrilled, and she isnt either. She tried talking to her sister.
Claire, how are things with Harry? He never helps, does he? Emily asked gently, passing another parcel from Sainsburys Market.
He does help, Claire replied. He just works late, comes home exhausted. Godbless him, hell sit with the baby while I shower, and the rest is on me.
Claire guarded her own marriage but never thought of yours, Emily, nor of you. Emily smirked and fell silent.
And his mother? She lives nearby.
Dont remind me! Claire rolled her eyes. I want nothing to do with that toad. When she shows up, I get a headache that lasts till dusk. Shes not a woman, just a wellofunwanted advice. Id rather starve than ask her for anything.
Is there anyone else? Emily pressed. Oksanas kid is about the same age as yours. Could you swapone watches, the other runs errands. Or Grace, she doesnt work at all.
Its uncomfortable to lean on strangers, Claire admitted. Theyre not obliged.
Leaning on your own is easier, Emily sighed.
After that, she decided to refuse her sister. Even before Mark hinted anything, Emily knew it shouldnt be that way.
The chance appeared immediately: the next day Claire called, saying shed booked a slot at the nail salon.
Emily, come over, sit with the baby for an hour.
Her tone shifted from request to command. It infuriated Emilywhy should she rearrange her plans so Claire can get a manicure?
No, Claire, I cant today. Sorry.
What do you mean you cant?
I cant solve all your problems. I have a life of my own.
I understand, but what should I do? I have no one without you. Ive already booked, I cant let someone down. Youre stubborn, you wont forgive me.
Claire, you didnt consult me before booking. Im not a runaway teen or a motherhen. Sort it out yourself.
Fine, Claire snapped, hurt evident. Its easy for you to sayyou have no kids. You dont know how heavy it feels.
Claire knew the nephew was slowly becoming Emilys son, but Emily stayed mute. She avoided conflict, and even that refusal felt like a small triumph.
Claire didnt give up; she called Mom.
How can you, Emily? Mom began. Your own sister with a child, and you turn her away! Shes alonewho will help her if not us?
When she asked me to pick up medicine, I went because it mattered. Now she calls daily about trivialities. Today she even booked a salon! Does it really have to be that urgent? She just wants to look pretty, like any woman.
Emily raised an eyebrow. No one had ever stood in her shoes.
Mom, since youre so clever, help her.
I? Mom replied, surprised. I can barely stand on my own two feet! Youre young, itll be easier for you.
Youre young, childless, still at homeI hear that forever, and Im tired of it. That day Emily held her ground and didnt lend a hand.
In retaliation, Mom and Claire gave her the silent treatment for a week, acting as if she didnt exist. Others might have brushed it off, but Emily felt lost, unable to find a place for herself, wondering how to mend the family ties.
A week later Claire called again, asking for babysitting while she got a manicure. Emily agreed, though she despised herself for it. She was choosing between exile from the family and patient endurance.
Youre soft one minute, sharp the next, Mark said after hearing it. Be careful, or shell never back off.
Emily sighed, nodded. Late at night she weighed how to refuse without creating a scene.
By day the phone rang, predictably.
Emily, I cant do it any longer. The baby has a fever, screaming since dawn, and Im running like a hamster on a wheelno time to sit, no time for the loo. Come, even four of us could manage.
I cant, Im at work. We now have strict monitoring: programs track activity, even lunch breaks are logged. Like an office.
Silence lingered on the line. Claire seemed to be searching for a weak spot.
Please! Just once, the last time! Ask someone to cover you or take a day off.
Emily saw no other option. She pretended to concede.
Alright, Ill think of something.
She hung up and texted Harry, asking for his motherinlaws number. Harry didnt refuse, and the motherinlaw agreed to pop over to Claires.
Emily knew exactly when the motherinlaw would arrive because the messages kept coming.
Whats wrong with you?! Claire typed back. Why did you point her at me?
You needed help. I called her, Emily replied, as if nothing had happened. I cant come myself, you know that.
Claire read the message but didnt answer. Emily felt a tiny victory, her own. Claire would whine, Mom would likely be displeased again, but now the sister would have to handle things herself or learn to seek help from those who truly wanted to help.
