I spent a good part of my childhood with my twin sister in foster homes, but when our aunt my mums sister turned eighteen, she took us in. She and, later, her husband became like real parents to us, and I love them dearly. Ill always be grateful for everything theyve done for us.
When we turned eighteen, they took us to a spacious three-bedroom flat in the heart of Manchester that had once belonged to our parents. Theyd been renting it out all those years, and now offered us a choice: we could sell it, split the money, and each buy our own place. We loved the idea. The flat was in great condition, so it sold for a good price. I received enough to buy myself a lovely two-bedroom flatwith the help of a mortgage, which I managed to pay off in a year. After that, I set about redecorating and shopping for furniture.
Mum and Dad were pleased Id settled down, but worried about my sister. They kept trying to guide her, offering advice about life. She wasnt in any hurry to buy a home, though. Instead, she spent her share on expensive gadgets, eating out, and holidays abroad.
Eventually, our aunt lost patience and told her straight: if she didnt buy a flat before all the money was gone, shed be asked to move out. In the end, my sister couldnt afford to buy anymore, so she started renting.
By then, shed met a boyfriend and they moved in together, trying to save a bit. I was delighted shed turned things around. As for me, I got a promotion at work, helped out our parents, went off on holiday, and met a wonderful man I was planning to live with.
Not long after we got together, we all met at my place. My sister had some happy newsshe was expecting a baby! Then she launched into a long speech about how tough it was going to be renting a place, especially these days, what with rents being higher than wages… I didnt quite get the point, until she turned to me.
Give me your flat, Im about to have a baby, and you live alone anyway, she said, so what difference does it make to you if you move in with Auntie and she gets a free room?
I told her no. She burst into tears, left with her boyfriend, and stormed out.
Later, she rang me a few times to see if Id changed my mind, but I was determined to stick to my guns. Id worked hard for every penny, paid off my mortgage, poured my energy into fixing up my homewhy should I just hand it over?
It was her own fault for not planning ahead. In life, its important to take responsibility for your choices. We each build our own future, and sometimes the best gift we can giveboth to ourselves and those we loveis to let others stand on their own feet.
