For some reason, all my friends with many children love to stay at someone’s house. So this someone is me.
Olivia and I have known each other since school. We studied in the same class. After school she gave birth to twins and became a respectable housewife. I went to university, and now I am successfully moving up the career ladder. Six years after our last meeting, we met in front of a shopping mall. She was coming out from there with her shopping and I was returning home. At that time she was pregnant with her fourth child. We sat in the park nearby, talked about this and that and went home.
I must say, I soon regretted giving Olivia my address. For the weekend I made Napoleonic plans. I decided to start my day with vacuuming. As soon as I turned it on, the doorbell rang. Opening the door, I could not believe my eyes: there stood Olivia with the children. At 9 o’clock in the morning! It turned out that she was passing by my house with her children and decided to drop by. I hate it when my plans are ruined. Throwing the guests out is not an option. I was forced to meet them with a smile. If I had known what would follow this visit, I would not have let them in the house at all.
While Olivia and I were standing in the hallway, the children had time to look around the house, because there are no children in my house, there were statuettes on the shelves and tables, important papers and documents. Actually, this attracted the attention of children. After a long and energy-consuming search, the children found a teddy bear, presented by my boyfriend, and let’s divide it into 3 parts. Olivia looked at them calmly, and I was boiling with anger. In order not to see this nightmare for a few minutes, I went to the kitchen to make us tea and sandwiches.
– Nancy, we left the house early, the poor kids didn’t even have time to have breakfast. Will you make them some porridge? They like semolina for breakfast, although Emily won’t mind oatmeal.
These words silenced me. While I was looking for semolina, Olivia’s children were taking my house apart piece by piece. I asked Olivia to quiet them down, but after that the silence did not last long. When the porridge was almost ready, Emily came into the kitchen. She was holding my expensive eyeshadow palette in one hand and a brush in the other. Her whole face was covered in my makeup. The walls, the couch, the carpets, everything was covered in eyeshadow and lipstick.
– Olivia, since you came with children, you should look after them, not talk non-stop. Maybe you’d better go to the swing?
– Yes, we’ll have breakfast and go right away. Are you okay? Do you want to come?
– I have other plans for the day.
– I thought we could talk outside… Well, whatever.
At that moment we heard the sound of glass. We immediately ran to the hall. Olivia’s son was sitting on a big table, and grandma’s vase, or rather its fragments were scattered all over the room.
– Why did you climb on the table?
– What the hell are you yelling at my son for?
– Firstly, he could have hurt himself, and secondly, this vase was very dear to me.
– When you have children of your own, we’ll see how you’ll resent such trifles.
– I will raise my children so that they know how to behave in a guest. You drank tea, had a rest, and I have to clean up after you? Go outside already!
– We haven’t had breakfast yet!
– There’s porridge in the kitchen. Have breakfast and go.
Olivia had breakfast with the children and started to pack.
– Can I see you tomorrow?
– I have things to do. But if you want, we can meet at the cafe. She doesn’t come to my house anymore.
Of course, she was offended by my behavior, but who wouldn’t be? But I was understandable. I love children, but well-mannered ones.
After this incident I try not to receive guests, especially with children. Olivia called me a few more times after that day, but I did not answer. I don’t need such impudent friends. I am not used to consumer attitude towards me.
