It was my duty to pay, for my father had always done so; I claimed the right to it as his heir.
Emily had decided to buy a pair of socksshe needed them. Will you cover all your expenses with the allowance my father sends for me? the boy asked.
Mrs. Thompson, unwilling to answer her teenage son directly, remembered that his father had recently transferred child support into his exwifes account. She had urged the woman to buy proper clothing for her son, since he had been wearing the same threadbare garments for years.
What does that mean? Emilys mother asked, thinking she had misheard. Why do you spend the allowance my father sends only on things you claim you need?
The womans eyes welled up, and she placed the socks back on the shelf. Thats a fine sweatshirt, she muttered, heading to the fitting rooms to try it on.
Edward, eager to find a sweatshirt that suited him, slipped a few into his bag. His mother checked the price tag: £50. Adding up the cost of everything else, she realized the allowance would not cover it, so she had to stretch the funds.
For me its a bargain! the boy shouted, pulling the sweatshirt from the cubicle and tossing it into a basket of other items.
The cashier at the town centre wrapped the purchases in brown paper. Thatll be £525, she said.
I only have £400 in my pocket. Leave something you dont need for now, Emily advised her son. I wont leave anything behind, so pay with your own moneymy father isnt the only one who must support me. By law I have every right.
Alright, Emily said, pulling out her wallet, laying the cash on the till. Thats a months worth. Do what you must. Pay for your clothes, but remember to set aside money for meals. I wont be giving you any more. Take care. She left the shop with a steady gaze.
That evening the boy returned home with several bags of new gear from brandname stores. I managed to buy shoesnice ones. Do we still have anything left in the fridge? he asked. Now youve got leather shoes, so why not cook something yourself? his mother retorted. Mum, Im serious, he pleaded.
Did you think I was joking? she snapped.
Id better ring my father; youre spouting nonsense, he muttered. Fine, good luck then, she replied with a thin smile.
He dialled his dad. Hey, could I stay with you for a month or so? Whats the matter? Why are you on holiday? Could you send a little money? Ive got none Alright, Ill see you later.
How had the conversation with his father gone?
The son trudged back to his room, his face downcast, while his father called his exwife. Whats really happened between you two? she asked. Our son decided today that everything belongs to him and that we must provide, she explained in detail. Hes got nerve, but we have to feed him or hell starve. You can take the childsupport money and, if theres any left over, give it to him.
Three hours later the internet at home flickered off, and the boy snapped at his mother again. Why should I be the one to pay for the broadband now? Youre getting ahead of yourself, just as my dad warned. He added, From next month Ill move in with my father.
Do you think a family with three children will need you? his mother asked. I promise Ill stay with him. She warned, You wont receive any more allowance next month; Ill deduct what I give you from what youd otherwise get from him.
His mother then recounted how much she spent each month to keep them both afloatfar more than the allowance. The son finally saw how unfairly he had treated his mother, apologized to both her and his father, and took a parttime job over the summer to ease the household finances a little.
