“Mum, are you seriously giving our flat to your sons brother? And then you expect to come live with me? Not a chance!”
“Dont even think about it! Mum, are you out of your mind? Hell kick you out the moment he gets the chancecant you see that?”
“Sophia, dont argue with me! Ive made my decision!”
At first, Mum held her ground, trying to appear firm and confident in her words. But then she burst into tears because, deep down, she knew she was being unfair to her own daughter.
The thing was, MatthewSophias younger brotherhad always been her favourite. Helen had him when she was over thirty, while Sophia had been an accident in her younger years.
So, her attitude toward her daughter was simpleshe was there, and that was that. Sophia was mostly raised by her grandmother because Helen had been too busy finishing her degree.
But Matthew? He was planned. Helen had remarried by then and relished motherhood.
Sophia saw it all clearly. The only thing she couldnt understand was why her mother was so blatant about favouring her brother. Most parents at least tried to hide it, but Helen didnt even bother pretending.
And then she had the nerve to wonder why Sophia and Matthew had never been close. Was it really so surprising?
Matthew had always been given the bestwhile Sophia had to make do with scraps and wasnt even allowed to complain.
He always got more money, too. “Hes the man of the family,” Helen would say. Never mind that he was years younger than Sophia.
“Mark my words, SophiaMatthew will grow up and provide for his own family. 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 with a self-assured air.
Sophia argued back, saying she had no intention of depending on a man and wanted to grow as a personprofessionally included.
“Honestly, what nonsense! Arent you embarrassed even saying that?”
“Whats so embarrassing about it?”
“Nobody in our family has ever thought like that.”
“Then Ill be the first.”
Sophia didnt understand her mothers logic and refused to follow it. It was this attitude that soon led her to move into a rented flat.
That decision felt like a breath of fresh air. Living under the same roof as her brother and mother had become unbearablethe older she got, the worse it was.
Not that they seemed to mind. More space for them.
Five years passed. In that time, Sophia managed to buy a flat with a mortgage and pay it off.
Meanwhile, Matthew still lived with their motherand even moved his wife in. A few months later, they had a baby.
Helen had always been the type to make do with what she had. That was her philosophyuntil something changed.
“Youll never guess, loveour neighbour got a dishwasher. Well, not her, really. Her kids bought it for her.”
“Thats nice.”
“Wish I had one, but I darent even mention it!”
“Why not?”
“Matthews struggling at work. He might get laid off, and then hell have to find something new. And Alicehis wifeis on maternity leave, barely scraping by.”
Matthew had another habithe never shared his money. Yet he was perfectly content living off their mother, as if groceries magically appeared in the fridge.
“Matthew, when are you going to grow a conscience?” Sophia snapped when she bumped into him at the supermarket.
He was buying beer and crisps ahead of a football match.
“Whats your problem?”
“You could at least help Mum out! Shes on a pension, you know. Do you even realise shes buying all the food?”
Matthew looked away, guilty. He knew she was right.
“Why do you care? You dont even live with us.”
“I care about Mum!”
“Save your pity for yourself. No husband, no familyjust you, all alone.”
With that, he walked off, leaving Sophia stunned. He always knew where to twist the knife.
At thirty-five, Sophia had never been married. Her last serious boyfriend had cheated on her, and she wasnt ready to trust again.
“Need any help, love?” a shop assistant asked.
“No, no, Im fine. Thanks.”
Sophia knew she was right. Matthew wasnt a teenager anymorehe was a grown man, a father. He should be taking responsibility, not leeching off their mother.
“Sophia, how *dare* you speak to him like that?” Helen launched into her the moment she called.
“Mum, I was just telling the truth. I was sticking up for you!”
“Did I ask you to? Because of you, Matthew came home in a rage, shouting the place down. Weve got a baby herehave you no sense?”
“*Me?* How is this my fault?”
Sophia didnt even know how to respond.
“Because you shouldnt have said anything! You know how sensitive he is.”
It was baffling. Helen never once considered Sophias feelingseven now, when shed only spoken up to defend her.
For six months, Sophia cut contact. Then, out of the blue, Helen called and asked her to visit.
Nothing had changed. No dishwasher, of course.
“Wheres Matthew and Alice?”
“At a birthday party. Im looking after little Alex. Come in, lovefancy a cuppa?”
“No thanks, Mum. You wanted to talk?”
“Yes. Ive made a big decision. Im giving this flat to Alex.”
Sophia almost laughed, thinking it was a jokeor a test.
“Youre giving *our* flat to your sons child? Mum, are you serious?”
“Sophia, dont argue! My minds made up!”
Sophia tried to explain the consequences, but Helen wouldnt budge.
“So not only do you wait on them hand and foot, now youre handing over the flat?”
“Dont exaggerate. Im just helping.”
“And what does Alice do all day?”
“She looks after the baby. Thats harder than any job.”
“Did *she* tell you that? Because all I see is her posting on social media.”
“You dont understand, Sophia! Youve no childrenyouve no idea.”
Sophia regretted coming. Six months apart, and nothing had changed.
“Noticed youve got a new car. On finance?”
“No. I bought it outright.”
“Really? And you couldnt help your brother? Hes been laid off, you knowmoneys tight.”
Sophia was speechless. Matthew was a grown manhed chosen to start a family. It was his job to provide for them.
“What are you implying?”
“Im not *implying* anything. You couldve bought the baby a new cotthey had to use an old one. And I *need* a dishwashermy hands ache from scrubbing.”
“I should go, Mum.”
Sophia headed for the door, but Helen wasnt done.
Before leaving, Sophia asked one final question.
“Mum, if you sign the flat over to them, they could throw you out. Where will you go then?”
But Helen still refused to listen.
“Oh, Sophia. Youre so stubborn! Alex is my only grandchildyoull never give me one. Not with that attitude. Always thinking of yourself!”
After that, Sophia had nothing left to say. If they were all so perfect, they could buy their own dishwasher.
Shed built her life on her own terms. It hadnt been easybut what choice did she have? Helen had made her decision long ago.
Well so be it. Shed made her bedlet her lie in it. Shed forgotten one thing, thoughold age was just around the corner
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