Are you actually putting him on the lease? I heard Sams voice crack a little, the surprise in it obvious. Hed never imagined his mum would think of that.
Whats the big deal? Does Ian have to be a permanent lodger? she muttered, glancing at her new housemate, as if shed just whispered it to the walls.
Hes already forty, Anne. He should have his own flat by now!
Sams dad died when Sam was thirteen; his little sister Emma was only three. Their only maternal grandmother had passed away two years earlier, and there were no other relatives to lean on.
To be honest, Sam hadnt been that close to his father the man was always off on night shifts, barely seen at home. Still, Dad was the familys breadwinner, and now they were scraping by on their mums wages as a shop assistant.
Sam felt sorry for Anne. Losing the main provider seemed to have knocked her off balance, and he did what he could odd jobs here, a hand around the house, looking after Emma. He didnt protest when, a year after Dads death, Anne brought home a bloke called Neil.
Of course, a stranger in the flat didnt sit well with Sam, but Anne suddenly looked brighter, smiled more, even seemed younger. That calm lasted a few months before Neil vanished.
He turned out to be married, Sam heard Anne sobbing to the neighbour, and he was only on a business trip. Honestly, its nicer to be in a cosy flat than a hotel!
Honestly, Annie, the neighbour sighed, youve got two kids focus on them, not on these random blokes.
Next came Stephen, a grumpy fellow who kept calling Anne his little swallow and Sam and Emma his chicks. He lasted half a year. After him showed up Stan quiet, unobtrusive, very polite he managed three months before bowing out.
Why did the men keep slipping through Annes fingers? Sam never figured it out. She was attractive, tidy, caring After Stan, there was a lull.
I dont need anyone, Anne told the same neighbour, God gave me good kids Ill raise them and be happy.
Sam let out a breath of relief. He was sixteen then and dreaming of university in another town. Thanks to his granny, hed started school at six, so he couldnt leave without mums okay, and he couldnt abandon Emma to Annes new boyfriend.
What are you talking about, love! Anne flailed her hands when Sam stammered about his plans near the end of Year 11. Of course you can go! Emma and I will manage. Im not sure I can help financially, though, she admitted sadly.
Ill sort myself out, Sam said, feeling a surge of confidence. You sure youll manage?
Absolutely.
He didnt yet know why Anne let him go so easily. He got into university, moved into a hall of residence, studied hard and took evening shifts. It wasnt a walk in the park, but Sam was ready for the grind.
What he wasnt ready for was missing his mum especially his little sister. Emma adored him, looked up to him like a hero, obeyed everything. When she heard he was leaving, she burst into tears, then solemnly told him it was for the best and shed wait for him.
A few months after Sam left, Emmas phone chats turned dull and sad, and once she even broke down in tears.
Alright, lovebug, Sam said firmly. Dry your eyes and tell me whats up. No lies, remember?
She spilled everything in five minutes, and Sam felt a chill run down his spine.
It turned out that as soon as Sam was gone, Anne had brought home her brotherinlaw Ian a loud, boastful bloke who made it clear he was the master of the house. He was an electrician at a small firm, balding, ruddyfaced, not exactly Mr. Handsome. He strutted around like the king of the castle, treating both Anne and Emma like they were invisible.
Eightyearold Emma walked to a school two streets away on her own and came home alone. Anne stopped taking her to the pool or the drama club, saying, If you want to go, go yourself learn to be independent.
Ian insisted Emma should cook, wash, and iron for herself, and Anne, for the time being, let him have his way. He also banned Emma from leaving her room without permission whenever he was home, and told her to stay out of his sight as much as possible.
Has mum lost her mind? Sam snapped when he finally heard Emmas story. Ill talk to her, dont cry, lovebug, Ill sort this out.
But the conversation went nowhere.
Didnt I deserve a bit of happiness? Anne snapped back when Sam accused her of making Emma suffer. Ians a good man! Emmas just a spoiled little thing who needs discipline.
Emma? Anne used to call her Emmy in the rare moments she was angry, but now she was calling her Emma as if shed always been that.
Mum, are you alright? Do you feel any pain? Sam asked gently.
I feel perfectly fine, Anne replied, then softened, Emmas just exaggerating a bit she misses you, thats why shes dreaming up stories to get your sympathy.
Sam doubted Emma was making things up, yet he had no reason to distrust his mother either. He tried to focus on his studies, aiming to finish his exams early and land a job. Money was tight he didnt drink, smoke, or hit the clubs.
He passed his exams with almost all credits, but had to turn down a job offer.
Im scared of him, Emma whispered into the phone, trembling. She and mum keep fighting, and he roams the flat naked sometimes
Wait, what? Sam asked, bewildered.
Yes, Im scared, Emma repeated.
Sams imagination had never been that wild, but now he pictured all sorts of horrible scenes. He hopped on the first bus home and, as soon as he walked in, saw the truth. Ian strutted through the flat like a peacock, glared at Sam, and shouted at Anne, Your sons here, and you havent even set a table for the men!
Anne just smiled coyly at Ian, Hold on, Ian, well get it sorted.
Sam didnt join Ian for a drink. He went straight to Emmas room, where she was crying from relief. He could hear Ian muttering something about Anne having raised a disrespectful lad, and she murmuring back, frightened.
A couple of days later Sam was convinced Emma wasnt making it up. Ian ruled the flat, trying to boss Sam around, but Sam snapped back.
Theres no need for you to tell me what to do in my own house!
Ian growled, Look, your son doesnt even think of me as a person. Explain that.
Sweetheart, calm down, Anne intervened, Ians on the lease too you both need to sort this out since were all living here together.
Did you register him on the tenancy? Sam asked, his eyes wide. It was something Anne had never even considered before.
Whats the big deal? Isnt Ian just a spare tenant? she replied, halfwhispering as she kept an eye on Ian.
Hes forty, Anne. He should have his own place!
They were still arguing when the front door slammed. Ian, offended, stormed out. Anne flinched, about to chase after him, but Sam held her back.
Mum, whats happening? he asked, trying to meet her gaze. Is he doing something to you? Should we see a doctor?
Ive never felt this way before, Anne burst into tears. I think Ive finally fallen in love! And Ian loves me! Do you think its easy to live without a husband?
Sam was lost. He felt sorry for his mum, for Emma, and for himself he couldnt just leave them both unguarded. His university life suddenly felt like a distant dream.
The priority now was getting rid of Ian. No amount of pleading seemed to move Anne; it was as if Ian had hypnotised her.
Sam turned to the internet for answers.
Mum, either you throw him out, or Ill take it to court, he said firmly.
What court? Ians living here legally, Anne replied, her tone just as firm.
Well see. You registered him when I was a minor; things have changed. Think about it, Sam pressed on.
Ian, clearly not wanting a courtroom drama, moved out two days later.
Anne now often stared at Sam with tearfilled eyes, then laughed a little and started disappearing from the house, as if shed reconciled with her lover.
Sam switched to distance learning and got a job back in his hometown. He hopes Anne will come round, and for now he keeps an eye on things, just in case.
