It’s your duty to foot the bill for me, just as my dad did. I have every right to it!
Poppy decided she needed a new pair of socks. Shed simply got to have them.
Are you really going to cover all your expenses with the allowance my father sends me for you? her teenage son asked.
His mother, Margaret, didnt quite know how to answer. Her exhusband had only recently transferred child support into his exwifes account, and shed been urging the boy to buy proper clothes because hed been wearing the same threadbare garments for years.
What does that even mean? Margaret blurted, thinking shed misheard. Why are you using the support my dad sends me only for things you need?
The remark made her eyes water, and she put the socks back on the shelf.
This is a decent sweatshirt, she muttered, heading for the changing rooms to try it on.
James, the son, thought hed take a few sweatshirts to see which one fitted best.
Margaret checked the price tag the sweatshirt was £45. Adding up the cost of everything else, she realised the weekly allowance simply wouldnt cover it, so she had to top it up.
That’s a bargain for me! James shouted, darting out of the cubicle with the sweatshirt and tossing it into a basket of other items.
The checkout girl at the Westfield centre bagged the purchases.
Thatll be £525, please, she said.
I only have £400 on me. Leave the bits you dont need right now, Margaret advised.
James refused to leave anything behind, insisting, Pay with your money too, because my dad isnt the only one who has to support me. By law Im entitled to it.
Fine, Poppy said, pulling out her wallet, sliding the cash onto the register. Thats a months worth of expenses. Spend it as you like, but remember to pay for your meals too. Im not giving you any more money. Good luck! She left the shop with a deadpan look.
That evening James arrived home with several bags of brandname gear.
I managed to buy shoes theyre proper stylish. Do we still have anything left in the fridge?
Youve got leather shoes now, right? I suppose youll cook for yourself.
Mom, Im being completely serious.
Did you think I was joking?
Ill just call my dad then; youre talking nonsense.
Good luck with that, Margaret said, smiling faintly.
Hey, Dad, could I crash at your place for a month or so? What? Why are you on holiday? Could you at least send some cash? Ive got nothing Alright, talk later.
How did that go with his father?
James trudged back to his room, dejected, while his dad rang his exwife.
Whats happened between you two?
Her exwife explained, Your son thinks everything is his birthright and that we have to cater to him.
Sure, hes bold, but better we feed him; otherwise hell starve, then you can deduct the money from his allowance, and any surplus goes to him.
Three hours later the broadband at home flickered off, and James turned on his mother again.
Why would you expect me to pay for the internet now? Youre getting cheeky, just like Dad said.
From next month Im moving in with my father.
Do you really think a family with three kids will need another?
I promise Ill live with him.
Fine, but you should know you wont get any allowance next month. Dad told me I have to feed you, and whatever I give you Ill later subtract from the support.
Margaret then listed how much she spends each month to keep both of them fed far more than the childsupport check. James finally saw how unfairly hed treated his mother, apologized to both parents, and took a parttime gig over the holidays to chip in a little for the household.
