” Mum, are you seriously giving our flat to my brothers son? And then you expect to come live with me? Not a chance!”
“Dont even think about arguing! Mum, have you lost your mind? Cant you see hell throw you out the second he gets the chance?”
“Sophie, dont you dare talk back to me! My decisions final!”
At first, her mother held her ground, chin high, voice steady. But then the tears camebecause deep down, she knew she was wrong.
Mathew, Sophies younger brother, had always been the favourite. Helen had him later in life, in her thirties, while Sophie had been an accident in her reckless youth.
Sophie was raised mostly by her grandmother while Helen chased her degree. But Mathew? He was planned, cherisheda second marriage, a second chance at motherhood.
Sophie saw it all. What she never understood was why her mother didnt even try to hide it. Most parents at least pretended to be fair.
And then Helen had the nerve to wonder why Sophie and Mathew werent close.
Mathew got the best of everythingbetter clothes, more money. “Hes the man of the family,” Helen would say, as if that justified it.
“Remember this, SophieMathew will provide for his own family one day. Until then, its my duty to support him!”
“And what about me?”
“You? Your job is to marry well and keep your husband happy,” Helen snapped, setting the table.
Sophie shot back that she had no intention of depending on a manshe wanted to build her own life, her own career.
“What nonsense! Youre embarrassing yourself.”
“How?”
“Name one woman in this family who ever thought like that!”
“Then Ill be the first.”
Sophie couldnt follow her mothers logicand she refused to try. Soon after, she moved into a rented flat, breathing for the first time in years.
Living under the same roof as Helen and Mathew had become unbearable.
Not that they minded. More space for them.
Five years passed. Sophie bought her own flat, paid off the mortgage. Meanwhile, Mathew still lived with Helen, moved his wife in, and soon, they had a baby.
Helen had always been the type to make dountil she didnt.
“Sophie, guess what? The neighbour got a dishwasher! Her kids bought it for her.”
“Thats nice.”
“Id love one, but I darent even ask!”
“Why not?”
“Mathews barely hanging onto his job. If hes made redundant, theyll struggle. And Alice is on maternity leavethose payments are pitiful.”
Mathew had another habitkeeping his money to himself. The fridge magically stocked itself, courtesy of Helens pension.
“Mathew, when are you going to grow a conscience?” Sophie confronted him in the supermarket, where he was loading up on beer and crisps for the match.
“Whats your problem?”
“You could at least help Mum! Do you even know she buys all the food?”
Mathew looked away. He knew she was right.
“Whats it to you? You dont even live with us.”
“I care about her!”
“Care about yourself. No husband, no kids. Just meddling where youre not wanted.”
He walked off, leaving Sophie stunned. He knew exactly where to strike.
At thirty-five, Sophie had never married. Her last long-term boyfriend had cheated, and she wasnt ready to trust again.
“You alright, love?” the cashier asked.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Sophie knew she was right. Mathew wasnt a boy anymorehe was a father, a husband. It was time he acted like one.
“Sophie, how could you speak to him like that?” Helen hissed later.
“Mum, I was standing up for you.”
“Did I ask you to? Because of you, Mathew came home in a rage, shoutingand weve got a baby in the house!”
“Because of me?”
“Yes! You know how sensitive he is!”
Sophie stared. Even now, Helen couldnt see past Mathews feelingsnever hers.
Six months of silence passed before Helen called, asking Sophie to visit.
Nothing had changed. No dishwasher.
“Wheres Mathew and Alice?”
“At a wedding. Im looking after little Jack. Tea?”
“No. You wanted to talk?”
“Yes. Ive decidedIm giving the flat to Jack.”
Sophie almost laughed. Surely this was a joke.
“Youre giving our family home to your grandson? Are you mad?”
“Sophie, dont start!”
Sophie tried reasoningthis would backfire horribly. But Helen wouldnt budge.
“So not only do you wait on them hand and foot, but now youre handing over the flat?”
“Dont exaggerate. I just help out.”
“And what does Alice do?”
“She looks after the baby! Its harder than any job.”
“Did she tell you that? Because I see her posting on Instagram all day.”
“You dont understand, Sophie! Youve no children of your ownyouve no right to judge.”
Sophie regretted coming. Six months apart, and nothing had changed.
“I see youve got a new car. On finance?”
“No. I bought it.”
“Really? Couldnt help your brother instead? You know hes been made redundant?”
Sophie marveled at her mothers logic. Mathew was a grown manhis family was his responsibility.
“What are you implying?”
“Im saying you couldve bought Jack a new cot instead of leaving him with that old thing. And I need a dishwashermy hands ache from scrubbing.”
“I should go.”
As Sophie turned to leave, Helen kept ranting.
Before she walked out, Sophie asked one last question.
“Mum, if you sign the flat over, theyll kick you out. Where will you go?”
But Helen refused to listen.
“Oh, Sophie, youre impossible! Jacks my only grandchildyoull never give me any, will you? Not with that attitude. Selfish, thats what you are!”
Sophie had nothing left to say. If they were so perfect, let them buy the damn dishwasher.
Shed built her life on her own terms. It hadnt been easybut what choice did she have?
Helen had made her choice long ago.
Well then. Shed made her bednow she could lie in it.
Pity shed forgotten old age was just around the corner.
