An Unwanted Daughter
“I never asked you to have him,” Abigail fumed. “Why should I suffer just because of your child?”
First, you took my room, then made me a free babysitter, and now you’re trying to make me give away my only friend? The one who’s been with me for nine years?
No way! I’m going to Grandma’s, and Rex is coming with me! You can take care of Sammy on your own!
Sixteen-year-old Abigail had been constantly arguing with her parents for the past year.
She had her reasons—after her brother was born, her mom and dad seemed to forget they had an elder daughter.
From the age of nine, Abigail was left to fend for herself. When she was younger, she didn’t understand why her parents were so indifferent, which deeply upset her.
Abigail cried in secret and complained to her grandmother:
“They’re always with Sammy! When I ask Mum to play with me, she says she’s busy, and Dad just turns away! Grandma, do they even love me?”
“Oh, sweetheart,” her grandmother, Margaret, reassured her, looking away, “of course, they love you! It’s just a tough time for them right now.”
Sammy’s little and needs constant attention. You understand that he can’t even hold his head up yet or walk.
When he’s a little older, things will get easier. Why don’t you help your mom by looking after your brother, take him for walks, play with him? Maybe then they’ll have more time for you.
Grandma Margaret knew her advice to Abigail wouldn’t change much; the issue was deeper. Abigail never felt wanted by either Eliza or Geoffrey, her parents. They married because they had to—Geoff only knew Eliza for a few months.
Eliza had lied about her age, adding a couple of years to seem older. When she got pregnant at sixteen, Geoff felt trapped and rushed into marriage.
Abigail wasn’t expected, and her parents weren’t excited for her arrival. Eliza wanted her freedom, and blamed Abigail for having to change her lifestyle.
Geoff wasn’t fond of Abigail either, for the same reasons, and always dreamed of having a son.
Sammy was cherished and planned for. They prepared meticulously for his arrival.
“Mum, can we buy me a doll?” Abigail asked her mother, pointing to a mermaid one.
Eliza, looking at baby clothes, replied indifferently, “We don’t have extra money for that. Stop embarrassing me! Honestly, I dread taking you shopping—you always whine for something!”
You know you’ll have a little brother soon, and we have to buy clothes, a crib, a stroller for him.
Why are you so selfish? All you think about is yourself!
After repeatedly hearing her mother’s scolding, Abigail started feeling guilty. Really, why was she acting like this? So what if she nearly had no toys; Sammy needed them more.
Sammy never wanted for anything. Eliza and Geoff showered their beloved son with gifts almost daily.
They prepared a separate room for him before he was born—while moving Abigail to the living room and renovating her bedroom.
When Abigail dared protest, her dad sternly said:
“You’re old enough to sleep on the couch! The baby needs his own space. Our bedroom is tiny. A cot won’t fit without making it cramped.”
“Stop complaining,” her mother agreed. “I’d have loved siblings! As it is, you’ll have someone to play with soon. Come on now, Abigail, sort your books and toys.”
You’ll have to throw out half—there’s no space to keep all this junk.
After Sammy was born, Abigail’s childhood joys vanished. Eliza and Geoff decided she was grown enough to mind her brother.
When the baby cried at night, they’d call for Abigail:
“Can’t you hear him screaming? Go check his diaper and give him a bottle if needed.”
Abigail would look after Sammy night and day, even in between school.
Eliza rested in her second maternity leave, always finding time for herself.
Grandma Margaret often visited, expressing her disapproval:
“Eliza, you can’t put the care for a two-month-old on a ten-year-old! What can she know?”
“I see no harm,” Eliza retorted carelessly. “Let her get used to it.”
She’ll become a mother someday, all this is good experience!
I bet even in ten years, Abigail will thank me! I get tired too. Do you think it’s easy managing two kids alone?
Geoff does nothing; always at work, barely helps, plays with Sammy for a bit at night, then crashes on the sofa.
“Eliza, this isn’t fair! You’re robbing Abigail of her childhood. Can’t you see she should be playing with dolls, not minding a baby?
I raised four kids close in age, did it all myself without help.
“Times are different now, Margaret,” Eliza argued back, “and I repeat: there’s nothing wrong with Abigail helping!
After all, Sammy is her brother, she should help raise him. She’s the elder one!”
By thirteen, Abigail grew to resent her brother. Sammy was clever but mischievous.
He soon realized he could blame his antics on his sister—Abigail got scolded for everything:
“What on earth do you do while we’re out?” Eliza would berate her most evenings, “I found broken pieces in the bin. Did you break the cup?”
“It wasn’t me—it was Sammy,” Abigail replied. “He threw it from the table because I wouldn’t give him sweets.”
“What gives you the right to decide?” Geoffrey defended his son. “It’s not your sweets, who do you think you are? If he wants, let him have them!”
“Mum told me Sammy couldn’t have sweets. He had to eat soup first. But he didn’t eat it and demanded dessert. I said no, so he smashed the cup.”
“Careless,” snapped Eliza, “what if he hurt himself? You’re grown enough to mind the child but can’t manage it!”
You’re grounded today, no outings! You’ll stay home and teach Sammy letters.
His teacher just told me he’s the slowest in the group!
All the kids can spell, but ours can’t even count to five. It’s your fault!
Things peaked when Abigail turned sixteen. Her parents, without asking, decided to rehome Rex—the old dog Abigail found as a pup and raised.
“Gone by tomorrow!” Eliza demanded. “Sammy’s sneezing for no reason, I think it’s a fur allergy.”
Abigail protested:
“I’m not giving Rex away! You can’t make me! He’s the only one who truly loves me. I won’t do it!”
“Who cares if you do?” Geoffrey said casually. “We tolerated your flea bag for long enough.
I’d have tossed him sooner, but he’s behaved enough to never mess indoors. Still, I wanted an excuse.”
Abigail stood firm:
“Rex stays with me; I won’t give him up! He means too much! Can’t you see that I love him?!”
“And you don’t love your brother?” Eliza asked sharply. “You’d risk his health for a mutt? Am I hearing you right?”
Annoyed, Abigail shot back:
“Yes, exactly! You both irritate me with all this about Sammy! You have no idea how tired of you I am! Why do I have to sacrifice for him?
Sammy’s ruined my life! I didn’t have a childhood because of him! While my friends played outside, I was walking a pram, and you, Mum, were napping!
When my classmates saw tutors and studied, I juggled school, nursery, and home. All because you, Mum, went back to work.
Enough is enough! I’m moving to Grandma’s!”
Grandma Margaret welcomed her granddaughter and had no issues with Rex.
At her place, Abigail felt at home—no one nagged her, no one forced her to spend time with her annoying brother. She could do as she pleased.
Eliza allowed her daughter’s absence for just a month—four weeks in, she called Abigail and demanded:
“Come back immediately! You’ve had a break, that’s enough! We can’t manage here alone.”
“Says who?” Abigail responded slyly. “What makes you think I’ll come back?”
I’m perfectly happy at Grandma’s, and I have no plans of returning!
“I wasn’t asking,” Eliza snapped at Abigail. “I’m telling you to pack your things and come home.
Sammy needs fetching from school, and I have to skip my lunch breaks just to bring him home after.”
“And what’s that to me?” Abigail retorted, indignant. “Your son, your responsibility.
I have a life. FYI, Mum, I’m attending college, working on my education.
At Grandma’s, I actually do my homework properly. I’ve caught up on all my courses! So no, I’m staying here.
“Just wait,” Eliza growled. “Your dad will come and drag you back! Think you’re an adult? Independent?”
Grandma Margaret, who heard it all, signaled for the phone:
“Eliza, don’t overstep,” she defended Abigail. “You’ve pushed her too far, and she needs space to breathe!
Sammy’s nearly seven—can’t he stay on his own?
If you worry about leaving him, hire a nanny! Leave Abigail in peace, I won’t send her back. She needs to study without stress!
Tell Geoff this too!”
Abigail was left alone. She learned from her grandma that her parents finally dealt with the Sammy problem—they hired a nanny for their precious son.
Abigail does not regret her actions. In the end, Sammy is her brother, not her son. She shouldn’t bear the burden of responsibility.
