Listen carefully, the housemate continued. Either your daughter gives me the car or she moves out! I wont stay in a house where Im not respected!
Where will she go?
Not my problem. Shes an adult now. Time to become independent.
Kira stood in the hallway of her parents home, hearing her mother explain through the bathroom door why she had to surrender her car.
Think it over, Kira. Andriy drives to work every day, and youre a student. Cant you manage by bus?
Kira pressed her back against the wall and closed her eyes. Her grandfather had given her the car for her twentieth birthdaya battered but personal first vehicle. Hed said, So you wont depend on anyone and can decide where to go yourself.
My car is registered in my name, Kira replied calmly.
And what of that? Were a family! her mother raised her voice. Andriy is like a father to you. Remember how he helped you with math in tenth grade?
Kira recalled his harsh tutoring: the way he slammed the textbook on the desk when she didnt grasp a problem immediately.
Stubborn as a mule! All mothers fault, he used to say.
The sound of a hairdryer sputtering from the bathroom told Kira her mother was about to leave. In five minutes the discussion would resume, something Kira didnt want.
Ill think about it, she lied and retreated to her room.
She had little to contemplateshe wouldnt give up the car. What to do next was the real dilemma.
Kira was in her final year of university, working parttime as an English tutor. Money was scarce but enough for basic needs, not counting the constant scrutiny and criticism that marked every step she took at home.
Andriy entered the family when Kira was eleven. Her mother had met him at worka tall, bearded man who spoke confidently and a lot. She liked him. Her father, quiet and reflective, had moved to the capital after their divorce and called rarely.
At first, Andriy tried to be friendly: bringing sweets, asking about school, even taking Kira to the cinema a few times. She thought, Maybe he isnt so bad. But that phase was shortlived.
Once Andriy settled permanently in the house, his demeanor shifted. He stopped asking or suggesting; he began issuing orders, treating Kira not as the homeowners daughter but as a servant.
Make tea. Clean up after yourself. Dont be clumsy. Dont slam doors. Lower the TV volume. The list of demands grew daily.
Her mother became Andriys advocate, echoing every complaint he made.
Kira, Andriy is exhausted after work. Cant you walk more quietly?
Kira, hes right. Why blast music?
Kira, think of others.
Others meant Andriy. When Kira asked for quiet while studying, no one cared.
Were not a library, Andriy retorted. If you want peace, go to your room.
Kiras room was a tiny former pantry, holding only a bed and a desk. The walls pressed in, the air felt thin, but there was no alternative.
Gradually she learned to become invisiblecoming home when Andriy slept or was away, eating alone in the kitchen, staying out of family conversations. This strategy held until the car dispute erupted.
The next morning, her mother knocked on Kiras door.
Kira, are you awake? We need to talk.
Kira sat up. Her mother wore an expensive new dress, hair neatly done, clearly heading out.
Im listening, Kira said.
Andriy was upset yesterday. He thought youd hand over the car without protest.
Why did he think that?
Her mother perched on the edge of the bed, stared out the window.
Kira, you know were planning a wedding with Andriy. We want everything perfect, invite guests, but money is tight.
Kira fell silent.
Andriy needs a car for his new, responsible position. Hell be traveling around districts; buses arent practical.
Let him buy his own, Kira suggested.
What?! her mother snapped, then steadied herself. Were family! Andriy has done so much for you
What exactly has he done for me? Kira asked.
Her mother hesitated, choosing her words.
He raised you like a father would helped with schoolwork
He yelled at me, didnt he? Kira interjected.
Dont speak like that! her mother leapt up. He tried! Youre always ungrateful. Your father abandoned youlook at the result.
The room fell quiet. Kira barely recognized the woman who once protected her.
I wont give up the car, Kira declared.
Then find somewhere else to live, her mother replied coldly and left.
Alone, Kira felt her chest tighten, breathing becoming hard. She never imagined it would come to this.
That evening, Andriy returned from work to a household in chaos. Through the thin wall Kira heard their conversation.
So, you talked to our daughter? Andriy asked.
Yes. She refuses.
Clearly we should have raised her differently. We were too lenient.
Shes still young, doesnt understand, her mother whispered.
And when will she? When she becomes a mother herself? No, Larisa, if we dont put her in her place now, shell completely overstep.
The mothers reply was too quiet for Kira to catch.
Listen to me, Andriy continued. Either she gives up the car or she moves out. I wont live in a house where Im not respected!
Where will she go? he demanded.
Not your concern. Shes an adult now. Time to stand on her own.
After that night Kira lay awake until dawn, wondering whether her mother would side with Andriy.
Two days later her mother entered Kiras room, face solemn.
Kira, weve decided. If you dont want to join the family, you can live elsewhere.
Youre serious? Kira asked.
Very. Youre an adult, you work, so you can rent your own place.
Kira stared at her mother for a long moment.
Fine. Ill move out.
Her mother expected tears, pleading, perhaps a fightbut received calm acceptance.
Maybe youll rethink? she asked.
Theres nothing to rethink. You made your choice; Ill make mine.
Within a week Kira found a room in a small house near the universitycheap, clean, and spacious enough. The landlady, an elderly teacher, was quiet and never meddled.
As Kira packed, her mother lingered at the doorway.
Maybe we were wrong she began.
No, mother, its fine.
I didnt want to kick you out. Its just Andriy
Andriy is more important. I get it! her mother sobbed.
Dont say that. Youre my daughter.
I was a daughter, thats all, Kira replied calmly, stacking books into a box.
The first weeks in the new flat were toughnot because of the chores; Kira adapted quickly. The real difficulty was accepting that her mother had chosen a stranger over her.
Gradually, life steadied. Her tutoring business grew, bringing enough money for rent, food, and occasional treats.
She could eat whenever she wanted, listen to music, invite friends over. No one ordered her around or staged dramas.
Her mother called only on holidays.
How are you, Kira? Everything okay?
Fine.
Want to visit?
Well see.
Kira never visited, and her mother understood.
Six months later, while Kira was settled, her mother called late at night, voice sounding weary and upset.
Kira, may I come over? I need to talk.
Of course. Come whenever.
An hour later her mother arrived, looking exhausted, dark circles under her eyes. She sat at the table in silence.
What happened? Kira asked.
Andriy left.
How did he leave?
For another woman. He met her at work, ten years younger.
Kira poured tea and placed a cup before her mother.
When did this happen?
Two weeks ago. At first I hoped hed return, but yesterday he came home for some paperwork and said hes filing for divorce.
Her mother began to weep, quietly, from exhaustion.
I was a fool, wasnt I?
Kira had no answer.
They sat sipping tea in silence. Then her mother asked, Can I stay here tonight? I dont want to go home; everything there reminds me of him.
Of course, take the sofa.
That night Kira heard her mothers quiet sobs. She wanted to hug her, to comfort, but too many old hurts held her back.
In the morning over breakfast her mother said, Kira, I realize I was wrong. I chose him over you. Forgive me.
Mum?
No, let me finish. I thought I needed a man at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing our relationship. I thought I was nothing without him. Now I see its better to be alone than with someone who poisons my life.
Kira nodded.
You wont come back home? her mother asked softly.
No, Ive grown used to this place. Im different nownot the girl I once was.
Different how?
Independent. Free from other peoples moods. I like that.
Her mother sighed.
Will we still keep in touch? Meet occasionally?
Yes, but not like before. Things will be different.
When her mother left, Kira stayed by the window, reflecting. She felt pity for her mother, but pity isnt love. Trust once broken doesnt heal with simple apologies.
She took the car keys, walked to the mirror, and saw an adult, selfreliant woman looking back.
No longer a frightened girl trying not to upset her mother, nor a student hiding in a tiny room from a foreign stepfather.
She smiled at her reflection.
Ready for the future? she said, heading for the door.
Sunlight streamed outside, and ahead lay an entire lifeher own, despite others whims and demands.
And that felt wonderful.
