The Unwanted Daughter
– I didn’t ask for him to be born, – Emily fumed, – so why should I have to put up with the inconvenience of your child?
First, you took my room, then you made me an unpaid babysitter, and now you expect me to give away my only friend? Who’s been with me for 9 years?!
There’s no way! I’ll go live with Grandma, and Rex will come with me! You can raise Tommy yourself!
Emily, sixteen, had been arguing with her parents constantly for the past year. She had her reasons for this resentment – her mother and father had forgotten about her existence once her little brother was born.
Since she was nine, Emily had been left to her own devices. As a younger child, she hadn’t understood why her parents were so indifferent towards her. It deeply saddened her.
Emily would secretly cry and complain to her grandmother:
– They’re always with Tommy! When I ask them to play, Mum says she’s too busy, and Dad just ignores me. Grandma, don’t they love me?
– Of course they do, sweetheart, – Jane replied, looking away to comfort her granddaughter, – they’re just having a tough time right now.
Tommy is small and needs constant attention. You understand he can’t even hold his head up yet or walk.
Once he gets a little older, things will be easier. Show some initiative, help out with your brother, take him for walks, play with him. Maybe then Mum and Dad will have more time.
Jane knew full well that even if Emily participated actively in helping with her younger brother, it wouldn’t change things much. The truth was that Emily was an unwanted child for Mary and John.
First of all, they had got married at short notice – John had only known Mary a few months. When he started seeing her, he hadn’t realized she was lying about her age – Mary had added two years to seem more mature.
Mary’s pregnancy at sixteen had caused issues for John, so he decided the best solution was to marry her. No one expected Emily’s arrival; her parents didn’t prepare much for her. Mary was angry about her inability to lead her usual lifestyle.
John wasn’t much different, feeling he couldn’t love his daughter because of these circumstances, and he had always wanted a son. Tommy was the apple of his parents’ eyes. Everyone wanted and planned for him.
– Mum, can we buy that doll? – Emily asked her mother, pointing to one with a mermaid tail.
Mary, examining tiny hats and socks, responded indifferently:
– I don’t have extra money. Stop embarrassing me, Emily! Honestly, I can’t take you to the store; you’re always begging for something!
You know very well you’ll soon have a baby brother. We must buy clothes, a crib, and a pram for him.
Why are you so selfish? You only ever think about yourself!
Emily listened to her mother’s complaints so often that she started feeling guilty. Really, why is she being like this? So what if she has barely any toys? Her brother needs them more.
***
Tommy was never told no. All the love of the parents poured into him, and Mary and John bought things for their beloved son almost every day.
They’d even prepared a separate room for him before he was born – Emily was moved into the lounge, and her bedroom was remodeled.
When she tried to protest, her father firmly explained:
– You’re old enough to sleep on the couch! The baby needs his own space. Our bedroom is small; if we put a crib in there, there’s no room left.
– Quit fussing, – agreed Mary, – in your shoes I’d be grateful. I have no brothers or sisters, I was alone.
Soon you’ll have someone to play with. Come on, Emily, don’t pout – sort your books and toys. By the way, half of it needs to go – there’s nowhere to keep that junk.
***
When Tommy was born, Emily lost all her childhood joys. Mary and John decided that their daughter was grown up enough to take care of her brother.
When the baby cried at night, either parent would peer out and wake Emily:
– Don’t you hear him wailing? Go, give him the bottle, check his nappy. He might need a change.
Emily got up at night and, after returning from school, watched her younger brother during the day. Mary, enjoying her second maternity leave, always had time for herself.
Grandma Jane, when visiting her son and daughter-in-law, would often voice her frustration:
– Mary, what is all this? How can you dump the care of a two-month-old on a ten-year-old girl? What can she manage?
– I see no harm, – Mary blithely replied to her mother-in-law, – let her get used to it.
She’ll become a mum someday and go through all of this. Besides, what experience she’ll have!
I’m sure, Jane, that Emily will thank me in ten years! Meanwhile, I’m tired too. Do you think it’s easy managing two kids alone? John’s work is constant, and he hardly helps at all. He spends half an hour with Tommy in the evening before collapsing on the sofa in front of the TV.
– Mary, you can’t continue like this! You’re depriving your daughter of her childhood. Don’t you see that Emily is at an age when she should be playing with friends, not babysitting her brother?
Besides John, I raised three more children. They were all close in age. I handled it without asking anyone for help.
– Times were different back then, Jane, – Mary countered her mother-in-law, – I repeat: I see nothing wrong with Emily contributing!
After all, Tommy is her brother; she should help raise him. She’s the older one!
***
By thirteen, Emily detested her brother. Tommy was a bright yet remarkably mischievous child.
He quickly learned how to pin every prank on his sister – Emily was blamed for everything:
– I don’t get it, what do you do while we’re out? – every evening, Mary scolded her daughter, – I found broken pieces in the trash. Did you break the cup?
– I didn’t, – Emily replied, – Tommy knocked it off the table because I wouldn’t let him have sweets.
– Who are you to tell him what to do? – John instantly defended his son, – did you buy those sweets? As if! Let him eat!
– Mum told me not to give Tommy sweets without a meal first. He should have soup before tea and sweets. But he refused soup, demanded dessert straight away. I didn’t let him have it, so he smashed the mug on the floor.
– Clumsy, – Mary fumed, – what if the child got hurt? You’re a grown-up and can’t keep an eye on a kid!
Today you’re grounded, no going out! You’ll stay in and teach Tommy his letters.
His teacher recently told me he’s the bottom of the class!
All the children form syllables, and ours can’t even count to five. Mind you, it’s all your fault!
The situation came to a head when Emily turned sixteen. Without asking her, her parents decided to give Rex, her old dog she found as a puppy and raised, away to a new home.
– Make sure he’s gone by tomorrow! Tommy’s sneezing for no reason, I think it’s an allergy to dog hair.
Emily was outraged:
– I won’t give Rex away, you can’t make me! He’s the only living creature that truly loves me. He’s not going anywhere!
– Who gave you a say? – John noted philosophically, – we’ve tolerated your flea bag long enough.
I’d have booted him earlier, but there wasn’t an excuse. Crafty little mutt! Never made a mess indoors. Though, I was waiting for a chance.
Emily stood her ground:
– Rex stays with me, I won’t give him up! I love him! Don’t you understand that I love him?
– But you don’t love your brother? – Mary narrowed her eyes, – you’d risk his health for that mutt? Did I get that right?
Emily raged:
– Yes, exactly! I’m sick of you with Tommy! You’ve no idea how tired I am of you! Why should I sacrifice my only friend for him?
He’s ruined my life, your Tommy! I never had a childhood because of him! While my friends played outside, I wandered parks with a pram while you, Mum, dozed off!
When my classmates were with tutors preparing for exams, I was pulled between school, nursery, and home.
Because you, Mum, went back to work! I’ve had enough! I’m leaving to live with Grandma!
***
Grandma Jane welcomed her granddaughter; she had no qualms about Rex.
In Grandma’s apartment, Emily felt at home – no one pestered her, no forced interactions with her disliked brother. She could do anything she wanted.
Mary only allowed her eldest a month of peace – four weeks later, she phoned Emily with a commanding tone:
– You come back right now! Had enough of a break? That’s enough! We can’t cope here without you.
– Why’s that? – Emily retorted, – who ever suggested I’d come back?
Living with Grandma is great, and I’m not going back to you!
– I’m not asking about your plans, – Mary told Emily, – I’m telling you to pack up and come home. There’s no one to collect Tommy from school! I must skip lunch to bring him home after class.
– And what’s that to do with me? – Emily retorted, fairly – he’s your son, you look after him.
You know, Mum, I’ve got my own things. Since you seem to have forgotten, I’m studying at college, getting an education.
Here, at Grandma’s, I can do my homework properly. I’ve caught up on all my main subjects! Sorry, but I’m staying here.
– You wait, – growled Mary, – your father will come back from work; I’ll send him for you. He’ll drag you back! Think you’re grown-up? Independent?
Grandma Jane, overhearing, gestured to Emily, asking for the phone:
– Watch your step, Mary, – Grandma stood up for Emily, – you’ve worn the poor girl out, she can’t breathe with you!
Tommy’s already grown, he’s seven now. Can’t he stay alone for a bit?
Scared to leave him alone – hire a nanny! Just leave Emily alone, I’m not sending her back to you. Let the girl study in peace!
And pass that on to John!
***
Emily was left in peace. Her grandmother told her that her parents had found a solution – they spent money and hired a nanny for darling Tommy.
Emily didn’t feel guilty over her choice. After all, Tommy was her brother, not her son. She wasn’t responsible for him.
