Emily wants to mark her anniversary at our place and has asked us to clear the flat, Margaret announced.
Tom, has he told you? the motherinlaw asked. Listen, therell be up to twenty guests, so well start preparing this evening. Ill be there early, around six.
What? In the evening? Kate replied skeptically. No, I never agreed to that.
Hold on, Im not done, Margaret continued. Ive already sent Tom a shopping list; he promised to buy everything.
Tom had always looked after his older sister, Emily. By age thirty she had married twice and divorced twice, each time blaming the wrong man. Their mother, Margaret, had been telling her son since he was a boy:
Your sister needs help.
So Tom helpedmoney when Emily was temporarily out of work, repairs to her rented flat, endless trips moving her belongings after each split.
Then Tom got married.
Kate put up with it at first. But when Emily, for the fifth time that year, asked for a few days to borrow their car because it had broken down again, Kate said gently but firmly:
Tom, isnt that enough? We need the car this weekend too. I thought we had plans
Whats the problem? Cant we walk? Tom asked.
No, we cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyve sent us two buckets of cucumbers. I thought you heard me when I mentioned it.
Right I heard something, but you understand Emilys situation is urgent.
Again? What exactly?
Im not sure, Tom muttered, but she needs it more.
No, Tom. This time it wont happen. Either you refuse her or you buy me a car. Im tired of taking the bus when a car could get me where I need to go.
Tom was about to call Emily and say no, when Margaret swooped in:
Are you going to abandon your sister for your wife? Shes all you have! Who else will help her?
So Tom kept helping, despite the fights with Kate. One day they stopped speaking for a few days, and Tom finally snapped:
Whats with the silence? Did you get offended?
You think it took me three days to realise that? Kate snapped back. I cant keep guessing what you need.
Just tell me what you want me to do, he asked.
Kate laughed at his confusion:
Really? You dont get it? Your sister whisked you away for the whole weekend because she needed to get to a friends cottage. I thought youd just give her a lift, and you ended up staying two days. Does any of that bother you?
What’s there to worry about? I had a few drinks, met her ex, and thought we should celebrate. Why should I have driven?
You could at least have phoned.
You could have called too, Tom retorted.
I did! Your phone was switched off. Imagine what I thoughtmy nerves were frayed, I didnt know where my husband was. And he just decided to take a break from me, Kate fumed.
Dont make excuses, Tom waved his hand, indicating a ringing call.
He stepped onto the balcony, took the handset there, knowing Kate would never approve another chat with his sister.
Hey, bro! Emily chirped on the line. My anniversary is in two weeksthirty years! You know what I mean, right?
Tom glanced at Kate, who was ladling soup.
What do you want? he asked.
You get me straight away! I want to celebrate at your house. Your living room is huge; my rented place is cramped and the landlord will nag. A restaurant is too pricey.
How about the local café? Ill chip in whats needed.
Youre kidding! This is an anniversary! You expect me to foot the bill for a venue when you have a flat of your own? And youll still have to add to it because Im not a millionaires daughter.
Let me talk to Kate first. Its her flat as well. Maybe shes got her own plans.
Its too late! Ive told everyone the partys at your place. Clear the flat for the whole day, okay? Mum says shell sort the cooking.
Tom sighed, covering his face with his hand, trying to think of an escape. The phone buzzed againthis time a text from Margaret:
Emilys drafted a menu. Heres the list of dishes. We need the ingredients. Ask Kate to help with the prep.
Meanwhile, Kate, oblivious to Emilys plans, settled into her armchair with the remote, ready to watch her favourite drama. When Tom entered the room, eyes downcast, she understood instantly.
Whats this now? she asked calmly, pausing the show.
Kate, listen Emilys anniversarythirty years. She wants to mark it.
Kate lifted her head.
So let her celebrate. Are we stopping her?
Tom scratched his head.
Its not that. She wants to do it here.
What? Kate stood up. Our flat?
Yes, just one evening. She says a restaurant is too expensive and her place is too small
And you agreed?
I said Id talk to you first! But Emilys already invited everyone, and Mum is handling the menu
Kate closed her eyes, breathing heavily.
Tom, are you really an adult, or just a messenger for Emilys wishes?
What are you starting?
Im starting, Kate said, holding up his phone. And nobody even called me? This is my flat, not a transit point for your relatives. Emily wants to celebrate here and Im expected to help, while youre busy assisting your mum, and no one asked me!
At that moment Kates phone rang.
Ah, the cherry on top, she whispered, waving the device. Your mum, she announced, holding it up to Tom.
Margarets voice crackled again. Tom, have you told Kate? Therell be up to twenty people, so well start cooking this evening. Ill be there around six.
What? In the evening? Kate echoed, skeptical. I never signed up for that.
Hold on, Im not finished. Tom already has a shopping list and promised to buy everything.
Fine and the money? Where will we get it? Kate asked.
Tom promised to help, Margaret replied shortly.
So you want to turn my flat into a restaurant and expect us to foot the bill? Kate snapped.
Emilys not a stranger! Can you spare a day to help with the kitchencuttings, salads, sandwiches? Youre the lady of the house!
Margaret, Kate interrupted, I just found out about this party. I never gave permission to hold Emilys birthday in my flat.
What do you mean my flat? You and Tom are married. Everythings joint! the motherinlaw retorted.
Its not the same if the flat were Toms alone. Then Id just be a dependent.
Enough nonsense. The conversations over. By Friday we need to buy everything, Margaret said, hanging up.
What was that? Kate asked Tom, hearing a short buzz.
Stop playing the victim! Tom finally shouted. Youve been told youre wrong. Admit your mistake and stop digging in.
Kate was stunned. She rose, opened the wardrobe, and silently pulled out a large sports bag. She then went to the bedroom, opened the chest of drawers, and began folding Toms shirts and jeans methodically.
Tom, feeling victorious, opened the fridge loudly, grabbed a bottle of beer, slammed the door, and plonked himself in front of the TV as if nothing had happened.
He thought Kate would just cool off and everything would return to normal. He even turned on the football, expecting Kate to call him for dinner. He was wrong.
Half an hour later Kate stood in the hall with a bag in one hand and Toms overloaded sports bag in the other. Tom left the living room to get another drink, only to find Kate standing there.
Whats this then? he muttered. What kind of drama are you staging?
Kate looked at him coldly:
This isnt drama, Tom. Its the end. Im done being a shadow in my own life, a servant in my own flat, a backdrop for your mums and sisters whims. If you want to be a good son and brother, go back to your mum. Help her plan the party. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner in her lounge.
Youre serious? he stepped toward her. Im not going back.
Absolutely serious, Kate said, nodding. I dont want you to come back. Ive tolerated enough that now I even question myself. But Ive had enough. If you cant learn to respect me in three years, nothing good will follow.
Kate you cant ruin everything in one moment!
Its impossible to ruin whats already broken.
Tom sputtered, still not grasping that Kate had made her final decision.
And thats that, Kate added, gesturing to his shirts and jeans piled on the floor. You can thank me later. Get out now.
He tried to speak, but Kate opened the front door. Tom stood there, his face flushed with anger, cheeks burning, lips clenched. He still hoped Kate would relent, but her calm only fed his fury.
Fine then! he shouted. Think youll find someone better? Youll be lucky to find another like me!
Kate snorted and stepped back:
Finding someone like you thank goodness, thatll be a challenge.
Youll regret this! Tom yelled, snatching the bag. Youll be on your knees when you realise no one wants to talk to you! Without me youre nobody!
If nobody means a person who lives in their own flat, works, doesnt cater to a husbands relatives and wont tolerate abuse, then Im happy being nobody.
Tom left, and Kate was left alone. She took a deep breath, walked to the window, drew back the curtain, and watched him shove the bag into a taxis boot.
Months later the divorce was messy. Tom tried to paint Kate as greedy and materialistic. The biggest dispute was over the car theyd bought together. He claimed hed paid for it all; Kate insisted it was jointly owned.
Your honour, I funded the purchase, the registration is in my name! My wife received nothing! he declared.
Kate calmly spread a folder of bank statements, transfer receipts, and a signed deposit agreement.
Im not claiming his share, but I wont give up mine, she said.
The judge ruled in her favour.
Tom was furious. He had already considered the car his. Now hed have to sell it and split the proceeds. He left the courtroom, his face twisted with rage.
At home, Margaret shouted, Are you an idiot? You gave her everythingcar, flat! Why didnt you get a decent solicitor?
On top of that, Tom had taken out a loan to fund Emilys restaurant celebration, because hed helped her with the flat. Now he was left with a tiny spare room in Margarets house.
For the first time in a long while, Kate slept peacefully. She decided she was still young enough not to cling to men like Tom. Good partners are out there; the key is to recognise who truly belongs in your life.
The story ends with a simple truth: love and respect cannot thrive when one side constantly sacrifices their own needs for others. Boundaries, communication, and selfrespect are the foundations of a healthy relationship.
