I can’t stop thinking about the argument I had with my husband, George, over the flat. I told him he was living under my roof. Then, just like that, one weekend he packed his bags and left.
Not long ago, my family and I went to visit the countryside and heard a rather intriguing story. Let me try to recount it in my own words. There was Charlotte, who used to be married to Edward. Theyd been together for well over twenty years. I dont know every detailjust the bits and pieces the locals shared.
When they married, Charlottes parents gave them a flat as a wedding present. At the time, Edward worked for a furniture company and Charlotte had an administrative job. Their wages were decent, and money was never a real problem. Edward was good with his handshe took care of everything that needed doing around their new home.
They only had one child, a son named Oliver. He wasnt the easiest person to deal withrather difficult and much too sure of himself. Charlotte always let him do as he pleased, while Edward did his best to set boundaries. That led to constant disagreementsEdward was determined Oliver should grow into a self-reliant, responsible man.
When Oliver was little, Edward tried to teach him the value of hard work. He insisted everyone should have basic skills and be able to handle practical things like fixing stuff around the flat. In the beginning, Oliver seemed interested, but all too soon, his enthusiasm faded.
Charlotte had completely different ideas about parenting. She often told Oliver that manual work wasnt for him, made sure he never had to do anything by himself, and frequently bought him expensive things. It led to Oliver becoming lazy, always expecting everything to come his way without effort.
All of this took a heavy toll on Charlotte and Edwards marriage. They argued constantly. Eventually, Oliver finished school and went off to university. His parents covered all his expenses, but he was terribly uninterested and struggled with his studies.
At this rate, what will become of him? Edward would grumble. He doesnt want to do anything. Hes happy to let everything be done for him. Are you going to find him a job as well? No, let him stay dependant on youmaybe thats for the best! He never held back, his voice thick with frustration.
Why put it all on me? Hes your son as well, Charlotte would reply.
Hes hardly a child anymorehe turns eighteen in just a few months! Hes a grown man now. Let him stand on his own two feet. I warned you, but you never listened. I would have taught him to be a man, but you wouldnt let me. What have you turned him into?
Are you really happy living like this? Youve been living in my flat all these years and still havent bought your own place. You must not want to. Youve got a decent job and yet act like you make all the decisions! I cant believe you, of all people, telling me how to raise my son.
Thats exactly what Im talking about! It never occurred to me that youd start throwing the flat in my face. Let me remind youthe keys were a wedding present, meant for both of us. I put in just as much hard work as you did. We did a good job making it a homemost people would be glad to have such a nice place! Yet you feel the need to say these things to me? Im shocked, truly.
With a heavy sigh, Charlotte would leave the room. After that blazing row, things only got worse. Oliver sided with his mother and barely responded when his father asked for help, always claiming he was busy with something or other. Edward started to realise his own family no longer needed him.
One quiet weekend, he packed up and left. Turned out, all those years hed been saving, hoping to buy a house. He dreamed of retiring peacefully with Charlotte by a river somewhere. Instead, Edward moved to our village. It took him a few months to finish up the house, but eventually he didand not long after, he met a new woman, Mary, whod been widowed. Two years have flown by, and theyre happily living together now.
As for Charlotte and Oliver? Not a word. They never phoned or reached out to Edwardnot once. But thats life, isnt it? Sometimes things happen you just never expect.
