Nothing Here is Yours
“I don’t want to argue with my mum, please understand,” Igor mumbled.
“Well, then I’ll tell her everything myself. I don’t care what happens next,” Clara replied.
She had had enough of the situation and wasn’t willing to endure it anymore.
The whole issue was that Igor was a laid-back person, and his mother took advantage of it openly. Unlike him, Agnes was quite the go-getter.
“Don’t get too close, or she’ll bite your arm off,” was how her type was often described.
Oh, if only Clara had learned this earlier, things would have been much simpler.
Some time ago…
“How much are you paying for your rented flat?”
“£500 a month,” Igor said.
“You’re out of your mind! That’s a fortune! You’ll never save up for a place of your own at this rate,” Agnes exclaimed.
“So what should we do? Live in some lousy student housing with bedbugs and drunks?” Clara wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“Of course not. I have a better idea.”
That’s when his mother suggested they move into her house. She had plenty of space, with four bedrooms to choose from.
“Well, that’s a great idea. I like it,” Clara said joyfully.
But it was clear from Igor’s face that he wasn’t thrilled about his mum’s suggestion, and he only politely said they’d think about it.
As soon as they returned to their rented apartment, Clara started the discussion.
“What do you mean think about it? What is there to ponder? Igor, we must agree. I’m fed up with shelling out £500 monthly too. We’ll never save up for a home like this.”
Igor just shook his head.
“Clara, you don’t know my mum. She seems simple and kind-hearted on the surface.”
“Oh, come on, that’s just your childhood grievances. You’re exaggerating.”
Once upon a time in his distant childhood…
“Mum, give it back, it’s my money,” little ten-year-old Igor cried.
“Nothing here belongs to you,” Agnes said sternly, licking her fingers as she counted the money.
“But it was a gift for my birthday.”
“Everything in this house belongs to me. Remember that once and for all.”
Igor remembered it all too well, and he didn’t want to live with his mum, but Clara wouldn’t let up.
Eventually, her persuasion won him over, and he had to agree.
Surprisingly, they did get along with Agnes at first. She hardly interfered with their lives.
But her demands began to increase, especially after a month when she realized the couple was well settled there.
Agnes insisted that they should pay not only for the groceries but also contribute to the household bills.
“Sorry, dears, but nobody’s cancelling the electricity and water bills. My pension isn’t stretchable.”
“Igor, your mum’s right. I completely agree with her,” Clara nodded while enjoying her roast potatoes.
Clara had it easy too. She never really enjoyed cooking, and now it was something his mum took care of. But this kind of “restaurant” turned out to be quite costly.
Yes, Agnes had no shame in charging them for it. And each month, the amount only grew.
“Clara, don’t you think we’re spending a lot more money than when we were renting?”
“Why do you think that?” Clara looked at him in surprise.
“Well, add it up yourself. We’ve got utility bills, food, the cost of cooking, and other expenses. It’s clearly more than £500.”
“Maybe…”
“I’m telling you for sure. Not to mention, we’re saving a lot less since moving here.”
They decided to return to their rented apartment. However, Agnes already knew what to say.
“Oh, don’t be silly. Stay as long as you like. By the way, I still need help around here with some repairs. I can’t afford to hire workers on my pension.”
That was true. Their conscience wouldn’t allow them to leave his mother like that. And they’d been living there comfortably. They needed to help.
Eventually, Agnes subtly hinted that she didn’t have enough money for the repairs.
“You’ve seen the prices! They’ve shot up in the past six months!”
“Yes, yes, we understand. We’ll definitely help, right Igor?”
“Yes.”
Agnes could clearly read his expression.
“Igor, is something wrong?”
“Everything’s fine, mum.”
“Good, because I’m doing my best for us. To make sure we’re all comfortable living here.”
In the end, they did the repairs.
But not just in one room, in all four. Agnes insisted it was better to do it now rather than later when prices would soar even further.
Then she outright stated she needed a new washing machine, and a dishwasher wouldn’t go amiss. After all, her hands weren’t made of steel.
Of course, they bought everything for her.
But there was a catch. Buying a place of their own kept being postponed again and again.
Two years went by.
Igor and Clara realized with each passing year that Agnes’s demands only grew.
If they’d lived separately, they could’ve saved up for a new home by now. At the very least, taken out a mortgage, but it didn’t go according to plan.
“I don’t want to argue with my mum, please understand,” Igor mumbled.
“Well, then I’ll tell her everything myself. I don’t care what happens next,” Clara replied.
She had had enough of the situation and wasn’t willing to tolerate it any longer.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll think of something.”
And that’s when Igor came up with a brilliant idea.
“Mum, we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Do you remember saying a whole house is too much for you?”
“And?”
“Maybe we could sell it and get places for all of us. I mean, a flat. One for you and one for us.”
Agnes jumped from her chair and started yelling at her son:
“Have you lost your mind? No way!”
“But why?”
“Because it’s my house, and I intend to live here.”
“What about us?”
“Oh, are you being kicked out?”
Igor realized that from the start, Agnes had a whole plan in mind.
“No, but we want to live on our own.”
“Well, then buy a flat and live there. If you couldn’t save up, that’s your issue. You need to work harder, Igor!”
“Yes, so we can give more to you,” Igor thought but kept silent.
“If you want to stay, stay. If not, back to renting. Just keep in mind that rents have increased too.”
Clara decided it was time to step in as Igor was getting nowhere with his mother once again.
“Agnes, but we invested money into this house, and Igor is right.”
“Go and prove it legally. I’m the owner here, and everything in this place is mine. If you don’t like it, feel free to leave.”
Finally, Igor and Clara understood that living with Agnes wasn’t the best option. They decided to go back to renting and start saving for a home.
Now they hoped to save up at least for the first mortgage deposit.
Meanwhile, Agnes wasn’t complaining. On the contrary, she invited family over and boasted about the marvelous renovations she’d done. And of course, there was no need to do laundry by hand or wash dishes.
“The most important thing is to make the right decision on time,” she repeated her favorite phrase yet again and continued sipping her tea with biscuits.
