“What vacation? Pay off your mortgage first!”
“Sam, what’s that smell? Can you smell it?” Annie asked worriedly.
“Yeah, it’s weird. It smells like someone’s here.”
This was indeed strange, especially since Annie and Sam lived alone.
They shared an apartment they’d bought with a mortgage on different terms. No one was going to help the young couple with their housing situation.
Annie’s parents couldn’t afford to assist, and Sam’s mother, Ms. Harriet, held firm beliefs on the matter.
She believed that young people must achieve everything on their own. So, if they wanted to live in a rented place or own one, it was their problem to solve. But this stance turned out to apply selectively.
For five years, Annie and Sam diligently paid off their mortgage. They did the renovations themselves, trying to save wherever possible, especially on labor, which was costly.
Finally, after all those years, having freed themselves from the mortgage shackles, the young couple could breathe a sigh of relief.
“What are your plans now?” Ms. Harriet asked, eying the couple with curiosity.
“First, a trip to the seaside,” Sam replied cheerfully.
“Hmm. You live quite well! I haven’t been to the seaside in 10 years.”
“Mum, come on! We haven’t gone in ages. We only just paid off the mortgage!”
“That was your choice.”
“I know. That’s why I believe my wife and I have every right to a holiday.”
Ms. Harriet pursed her lips with discontent and continued the conversation.
“You’re an interesting one, Sam.”
“What are you getting at, Mum?”
“While you’re off for some fun, you could be helping your brother.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because he’s your brother, and he’s got nothing to his name.”
Sam’s younger brother, Charlie, was in question. Well, younger in title, but at 25 years old, he was no child. He could certainly fend for himself but opted not to. And that’s another story altogether.
“Mum, why do you think I should support Charlie at all?”
“Who said support? I’m talking about helping.”
“In what way?”
Frustrated, Ms. Harriet waved her hands.
“In what way? Financially!”
Now she wasn’t hinting; she was bluntly suggesting that it would be better if Sam gave the money to Charlie instead of spending it on vacation.
“No, Mum. I won’t give money or help him out. None of you helped us pay the mortgage. And I didn’t ask you to.”
“That’s because you earn more.”
Ms. Harriet, due to her insufferable nature, had a bad habit of scrutinizing others’ finances, especially her son and daughter-in-law’s.
If they earned well and got big paychecks, they should share it. While she, on the other hand, owed nothing to anyone.
She bore him, raised him, and that was it. Now he owed her, but she owed him nothing.
Sam had dealt with similar behavior often and wasn’t going to let it slide this time.
“Mum, stop counting my money. This conversation is over.”
“Oh, I didn’t expect to raise such a selfish eldest son.”
Frankly, Sam ignored his mother’s remarks. He understood these were mere manipulations. Ms. Harriet had behaved like this many times before.
Over time, he realized there was no point in arguing with her. He gave a firm refusal and started preparing for the holiday.
A week later, the couple left for their break. Ms. Harriet didn’t even come to see them off.
The vacation was excellent. The young couple returned feeling rejuvenated and satisfied, ready for the work ahead.
However, upon their return, an unpleasant “surprise” awaited them.
When they entered their flat, they immediately noticed something strange.
“Sam, what’s that smell? Do you smell it?” Annie asked anxiously.
“Yes, it’s strange. It feels like someone’s here.”
This was indeed odd since Annie and Sam lived alone.
As they took in the scene, they couldn’t recognize their own apartment. It was a chaotic mess unlike anything they’d seen before.
Clothes strewn everywhere and dirty dishes piled up. The floors looked as if they hadn’t been cleaned in ages.
“Sam, what’s happened to our apartment?”
At first, Annie thought they’d somehow come to the wrong place and by some miracle, the key fit.
She truly didn’t recognize their home.
“I want to know that too.”
And then, suddenly, the mystery was solved when they found Charlie, Sam’s brother, there.
“And what are you doing here?” Sam demanded sharply.
“Strange question. Living. Isn’t it obvious?”
“Living? Are you joking? This is my apartment. How did you get the keys?”
Charlie hesitated, the answer clear as day. Ms. Harriet had given him the keys, promising to take care of the houseplants while the young couple was away.
Naturally, Sam wasted no time in kicking his brother out. Especially since their relationship had been rocky for years.
“Mum, have you no decency?”
“What on earth do you mean? How dare you speak to me like that?” protested Ms. Harriet.
“How else should I speak after what you’ve done?”
“What have I done?”
Amazingly, even in this situation, Ms. Harriet felt no guilt and instead tried to make Sam feel at fault.
“You think it’s fine to let whoever you please into my home without my permission?”
Ms. Harriet snapped and began yelling.
“What do you mean whoever? Charlie is your brother, after all.”
“So what? Am I supposed to bow to him now?”
“Don’t be cheeky!”
“And don’t you dare make decisions about my property. It doesn’t belong to you!”
“Well, you know… I’m tired and wanted to live separately for a while too.”
“Then he should rent a place!”
“He doesn’t have that kind of money.”
“That’s not an argument. Let him earn. I don’t want to see you or him in my flat again.”
From that day on, Sam had a serious falling out with his mother and they hadn’t spoken for six months.
He believed his mother had no right to act this way. Meanwhile, Ms. Harriet felt she wasn’t in the wrong.
After all, she was twice his age and understood her actions, refusing to account for them to anyone.
It was astounding how some people seemed to live without a hint of guilt, carrying on as if nothing happened. Sam couldn’t fathom such an attitude, especially from his own mother. And he didn’t want to. Just as much as he didn’t want to interact with her.
