“Mum, are you seriously giving our flat to your brothers son? And then you expect to move in with me? No chance!”
“Dont even think about it! Mum, are you out of your mind? Can you hear yourself? Hell kick you out straight awaysurely you realise that?”
“Sophie, dont argue with me! Ive made my decision!”
At first, her mother held firm, trying to show independence and certainty in her words. Then she burst into tears because deep down, she knew she was being unfair to her own daughter.
The thing was, Matthew, Sophies younger brother, had always been the favourite. Helen had him in her thirties, while Sophie had been an accident in her youth.
So, she treated her daughter as an afterthoughtgood enough to have around. Sophie was mostly raised by her grandmother because Helen had promised herself shed finish university.
But Matthew? He was planneda conscious choice when she remarried and revelled in motherhood.
Sophie saw it all. The one thing she couldnt understand was why her mother made the favouritism so blatant.
Most parents at least tried to hide it. But not Helen. She didnt even pretend Matthew wasnt the golden child.
Then she had the nerve to wonder why her children werent close. Surprising, really. Or was it?
Matthew got the best of everything growing up. Sophie had to make do with scraps and wasnt allowed to complain.
He always got more money, too. “Hes the manthats how it should be.” Never mind that he was years youngerdetails, apparently, didnt matter.
“Remember thisMatthew will provide for his family when hes older. Until then, its my duty to help him!”
“And what about me?”
“What about you? Your job is to marry well and stand by your husband,” Helen declared, setting the table.
Sophie disagreed, saying she refused to depend on a man and wanted to grow as a personprofessionally, too.
“What absolute nonsense! Are you even listening to yourself?”
“Whats so funny about that?”
“Nobody in this family has ever thought like that!”
“Then Ill be the first.”
Sophie never understood her mothers logicnor did she want to. That attitude soon had her moving into a rented flat.
It felt like a breath of fresh air. Living under the same roof as her brother and mother had become unbearable. The older she got, the worse it was.
Not that they minded. More space for them.
Five years passed. In that time, Sophie bought a flat with a mortgage and paid it off. Meanwhile, Matthew still lived with Helen and had moved his wife in, too. Soon, they had a baby.
By nature, Helen was content with what she haduntil she wasnt.
“Can you believe it, love? The neighbours got herself a dishwasher. Well, the kids bought it for her.”
“Thats nice.”
“Wish I had one, but I darent even mention it!”
“Why not?”
“Matthews in a tight spot at work. Any day now, he could be laid off. And Alicehis wifeis on maternity leave with barely any pay.”
Matthew had another charming trait: he hated sharing his money. Living off Helen suited him just fineas if groceries magically appeared in the fridge.
“Matthew, when are you going to grow a conscience?” Sophie snapped when she bumped into him at the supermarket.
He was loading up on beer and crisps for the big match.
“Wheres this coming from?”
“At least help Mum out financially! Her pension isnt endless. Do you even realise she buys all the food?”
Matthew looked awayhe knew she was right.
“Whats it to you? You dont even live with us.”
“I care about Mum!”
“Save your pity for yourself. No husband, no kids. She doesnt need your sympathy!”
He turned and walked off. Sophie stood there, stunned. He knew exactly where to strike.
At thirty-five, Sophie had never been married. Her long-term boyfriend had cheated, leaving her wary of new relationships.
“Need any help, love?” the shop assistant asked.
“No, no. Im fine. Thanks.”
Sophie knew she was right. Matthew wasnt a teenager anymore. He was a grown mana father.
Time to step up instead of mooching off his mother.
“Sophie, how dare you say that to him?” Helen started the call with accusations.
“Mum, I was just telling the truthstanding up for you.”
“Did I ask you to? Because of you, Matthew stormed off shouting, and weve got a baby heredo you even think?”
“Because of me? How is this my fault?”
Sophie didnt know how to respond.
“Because you shouldnt have said anything! You know how sensitive he is!”
FunnyHelen never spared a thought for Sophies feelings. Even now, when shed tried to defend her, she was still the villain.
Six months passed without contact. Then Helen called, asking Sophie to visit.
Nothing had changed. Still no dishwasher.
“Wheres Matthew and Alice?”
“At a wedding anniversary. Im looking after little Alex. Come infancy a cuppa?”
“No thanks. You wanted to talk?”
“Yes. Ive made a big decision. Im giving this flat to Alex.”
Sophie thought she was jokingtesting her reaction.
“Youre giving our family flat to your brothers son? Mum, are you serious?”
“Sophie, dont argue! My minds made up!”
Sophie tried reasoningwarning her of the consequences. Helen wouldnt budge.
“So not only do you wait on them hand and foot, now youre signing the flat over?”
“Dont exaggerate. Im just helping.”
“Right. And whats Alice doing?”
“Looking after the baby. Harder than any job.”
“Did she tell you that? Because all I see are social media posts.”
“You dont understand, Sophie! Youve no kidsyou wouldnt know!”
Sophie regretted coming. Six months apartnothing had changed.
“I see youve got a new car. On finance?”
“No. I paid for it.”
“Really? Couldnt help your brother? Hes been laid offmoneys tight.”
Sophie was stunned. Matthew was a grown manhe should be supporting his own family.
“What are you hinting at?”
“Im saying it outright. You couldve bought Alex a new cotwe had to use an old one. And I need a dishwashermy hands ache from scrubbing.”
“Ive got to go, Mum.”
Sophie headed for the door, but Helen wasnt done.
Before leaving, Sophie asked one last question.
“Mum, if you sign the flat over to them, theyll throw you out. Where will you go?”
Helen still refused to listen.
“Oh, Sophie. Youre so stubborn! Alex is my only grandchild! Youll never give me grandchildrennever marry. Not surprising, with that attitude. Always thinking of yourself!”
Sophie gave up. If they were so perfect, they could buy the dishwasher.
Shed handle her own life. It wasnt easy, but what else could she do? Helen had made her choice long ago.
Well then. As you make your bed, so you must lie in it. Shame she forgot old age was just around the corner
What do you think? Share your thoughts below.
