Framed by My Own Sister
Em, I cant do this anymore, Sarah sank into the kitchen chair and rubbed her forehead, her hands trembling. Youve got no idea what its like, doing everything alone. My back feels like its about to snap.
Emily set her tea down and watched her sister for a moment. Sarah looked utterly wiped out, dark circles under her eyes, her hair scraped into an untidy ponytail.
Whats happened, Sare?
Its been two years nowtwo years since Tom left. Everythings on me. The school run, homework, clubs, cooking, cleaning, laundry. I feel like a hamster on a wheel. And Katies started showing attitude, talking back about everything
Emily frowned. Her ten-year-old niece had always seemed calm and thoughtful. Not the type to throw tantrums or mouth off to grownups.
Katie? Talking back? Thats odd, shes always so
Thats because you see her for a couple of hours every month! Sarah threw up her hands. Try explaining every single day that dishes arent supposed to sit in the sink or that homework needs to be done after school, not late at night on her phone.
It sounds like normal kid stuff
Normal? Sarah gave a bitter laugh. Ive got no patience left for normal. I slog at work, rush home, and then its the cooking and cleaning again. She just sits around staring at the ceiling. I am fed up!
Emily bit her tongue. She wanted to say plenty of mums manage, even in worse situations. Some raise three kids without help from anyone. But she didnt want to argue, so she simply nodded, trying to look sympathetic.
Look, Sarah perked up slightly, Youre free this weekend, arent you?
Yeah, I think so
Could you take Katie for Saturday and Sunday? I just need some space, a breather. I want to pop down to my friend in Hampshire, try and clear my head.
Of course! Emily smiled. Wouldnt mind at all. We could watch a film, go for a walk. Ive been meaning to spoil her for ages.
Sarah smiled gratefully and rummaged in her bag for her phone to ring her daughter.
The weekend flew by. Katie was wonderful company. We made homemade pizza togethershe rolled out the dough herself and did the toppings. We watched cartoons piled on the sofa, strolled through the park feeding the ducks. Not once did Emily see any rudeness or tantrums. Just a regular, cheerful kid.
Sunday evening, Emily dialled Sarahs number. It rang for ages and her sister finally picked up.
Yes?
Sarah, when are you coming for Katie? Shes waiting for you.
Silence. Far too long a pause.
Em Its awkward. Im not in town.
What? You were driving to Hampshire. Thats only a couple of hours.
Im not in Hampshire. Im in Spain.
Emily was sure shed misheard.
Sorry, where?
Spain. I flew out yesterday morning. Someone I know here said I could stay for a month. I needed a break, you know?
Sarah, you’re joking, right? Emily gripped the edge of the table. Youve gone abroad and just left Katie here with me? Didnt even say a word?
How else was I supposed to ask? Youd say no!
Of course I would! Ive got work, I cant look after a child for a month! Do you realise what youve done?
Dont be dramatic, Em. You always said Katies easy. Itll fly by.
Are you completely mad?! How can you just abandon your child for a month? Youre her mother!
Im a mother whos had no time off in two years. I need rest.
A MONTH? In SPAIN?
Em, Sarahs voice suddenly sharpened, Dont shout at me! What are you going to do, chuck Katie out? Call social services?
The call cut off. Sarah hung up.
Emily stood in the kitchen, clutching her phone, stunned. Her own sister had just dropped her daughter on her for a month then gone sunbathing, as if it was nothing.
Katie appeared in the doorway.
Auntie Em, is Mum coming soon?
Emily took a slow breath, forced a smile.
Katie, come here, love. We need to talk.
The girl perched on a stool, swinging her legs. Emily sat next to her.
Mums gone on holiday. Looks like shell be gone a while. So youll stay with me for a bit, alright?
Katie shrugged.
Okay.
No tears, no fuss. Just a quiet acceptance. Emily wasnt sure if that was reassuring or a bit worrying.
Have you got your flat keys in your rucksack?
Katie nodded, pulling out her cat-shaped keyring.
Lets pop round and get your things.
Sarahs flat was pristine. Emily packed Katies clothes, school books and favourite toys. The girl quietly helped, neatly folding everything into her suitcase.
The first week was mostly adjusting. Emily shifted her hours at work and got permission to partly work from home. Katie kept up at school, did her homework, and in the evenings theyd have dinner together.
By the second week, Emily noticed something odd. Katie started helping around the flat without being askeddusting, vacuuming, even cleaning the windows.
You dont have to do that, Katie.
Katie looked up, earnest.
I want to. You feed me, let me live here. Fairs fair.
Then it was cooking. Katie asked if she could make salad. She cut the cucumbers all lopsided, tomatoes thick and thin, but tried her best. Emily praised the effort.
Mum never let me cook, Katie mumbled, eyes down. Said I did it all wrong. Easier if she did it herself.
Did you want to?
A lot. Wanted to clean, too. But Mum got cross if I tried. Said she had to redo everything after.
Emily remembered Sarahs complaints. She just sits about, does nothing But the truth was, the child wasnt allowed to try, to learn, to make mistakes.
Dad used to let me help, Katie added quietly. He said everyone messes up the first time. But youve got to have a go.
Do you miss your dad?
Silence, then a small nod.
Mum wont let me see him. Says hes bad. But hes not. Hes nice. He just found it hard with Mum.
Emily hugged Katie tight, feeling how small and fragile she was.
Sarah didnt ring. Not once in three weeks. Never asked about her daughter, never sent a message. Emily sent photos, updates. Replies came back: Ok. Good. Fine.
One night, the idea came to Emily. The month would be up soon. Sarah would come back, take Katie, and the cycle would repeat. Stuck with a mother who saw her as a burden, not a child.
In the morning, Emily scrolled through her contacts till she found TomSarahs ex-husband.
Hello?
Tom, its Emily. Sarahs sister.
Pause.
Emily? Whats happened?
Katies been staying with me nearly a month. Sarah flew to Spain. Just left her with no warning.
The line went silent for ages.
How is Katie?
Shes fine. But she misses you.
Can I come over?
Of course.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Tom stood there, tall but exhausted, holding a bunch of daisies.
Dad! Katie shot out of her room, flung herself into his arms. He hugged her, shoulders shaking.
My girl. I missed you so much. Mum wouldnt let me
I know, Dad. I know.
Emily watched from the doorway. Father and daughter, kept apart by pride, by spite, by a need to controlnot by concern for the child.
When they finally let go, Emily joined them.
Katie, I need to ask you something. Tell me the truth. Would you like to live with your dad?
She didnt hesitate.
Yes.
Emily looked at Tom.
And you?
Ive dreamed of this since the day I left, he said, gazing at his daughter. I love her. Always have. Just couldnt manage with Sarah. But I never turned my back on Katie. Sarah stopped me.
Next morning, Emily rang social services. Explained: Mum had left a minor alone in England to holiday abroad for a month; dad was willing and able to take her in.
It took a few days. Paperwork, meetings, chats with a psychologist. Katie was clearshe wanted to be with her dad. Tom showed evidence of a job, a home.
Within a week, Katie moved in with him.
Emily visited often. She watched her niece blossom, helping her dad in the kitchen as he praised every unevenly chopped vegetable, hearing them laugh at silly jokes, listening to him read her stories before bed, even though she was getting older.
Emily got on well with Tom. He was calm and steady, nothing like the stressed energy that always surrounded Sarah. They drank tea together, talked about Katies schoolwork, planned weekend outings.
Then Sarah came backbronzed, relaxed, in a sparkling mood. It didnt last long.
You GAVE AWAY my daughter? Sarah stormed as soon as she burst through the door. How could you?
Me? Emily sipped her coffee. I didnt give her away. You abandoned her.
I did NOT! I left her temporarily!
For a month. Went abroad and never called, never checked how she was.
Shes MY daughter!
She was. Now its up to the court.
Sarah turned pale.
What do you mean, court?!
A hearing to decide where Katie should live. Toms applied. Given you deserted a minor for a month, Id say his chances are rather good.
You Sarah could hardly breathe with rage. You traitor! My own sister stabbed me in the back!
Your own sister, who you dumped your child on and went off for a tan. Emily shrugged. Things are easier now, arent they? No more cleaning, laundry, cooking to do.
Youll pay for this!
No, Sarah. You will. In court. Start sorting your documents and hire a solicitor. Although I wouldnt hold out much hope. Katie wants to live with her father. And you know what? Better get ready to pay child support.
Sarah stormed out without even saying goodbye.
Emily leaned back in her chair. Her relationship with Sarah was probably finishedmaybe for good. She didnt regret it. She still couldnt understand how anyone could just abandon their child for a month.
This would be a lesson for Sarah: actions have consequences. You cant use people and expect to get away with it.
As for KatieKatie was happy now. That was all that mattered.
