Hey love, let me tell you whats been going on with the family lately. My older brother finally turned up for a visit its only his third time back in over ten years. Hes been living out in the States with his wife Emma, hardly ever coming over. When he arrived he brought a bunch of flashy clothes and all sorts of imported goodies for Mum and Dad, which made everyone grin.
While Jack was off chasing his luck abroad, I was holding the fort at home, looking after Mum and Dad. Now that hes here, I realise I should have stepped in sooner; I feel a bit rubbish for not seeing it earlier.
Seeing Jack again lifted Mums spirits right away. She forgot all her aches and rushed to whip up pastries for him. Mum and Dad are over the moon whenever their son and daughterinlaw show up. But with Jack and Emma staying for a couple of weeks, the house was a whirlwind Dad kept trying to entertain the grandkids from America, and Mum was busy baking cakes and roasting a Sunday roast for Emma.
For the whole two weeks the place felt like a proper holiday. Emma was in the kitchen or glued to the telly all day, sipping tea, never offering to help or even tidy up a bit. When they finally left, Dad handed us an envelope with a few quid. Jack laughed, What am I gonna do with pounds in the US? but he didnt turn it down.
After the guests left, Mums blood pressure spiked again. My wife had to make her tea and spend the evening looking after her. Dad asked me to chop some firewood hed been bragging yesterday about how handy he was with the axe, but now he couldnt lift a log himself. Watching Hannah torn between the kitchen, Mums health, and cleaning was just exhausting.
So, whats life like with the parents? Hannah and I have been married almost nine years, and weve been living in my parents house the whole time. Theyre retired now, taking it easy, not doing any heavy chores or running errands. All the repairs, cleaning and upkeep have fallen to us. Weve taken on the whole renovation new windows, a new roof, a new fence and paid for everything out of our own pockets.
Jack hardly ever visits. When he does, hes like a brandnew person bright, active, happy, as if nothing ever bothers him.
We moved in with Mum and Dad so we could jump in whenever they need a hand. Ive come to see that my earlier decisions werent the best, but weve poured a lot of money and energy into the house, and walking away now feels wrong. My parents dont really notice the daytoday effort we put in; they keep praising Jack to friends and relatives, while they call us failures for still living under their roof. Im stuck not knowing what to do next.
Anyway, thats the long story. Hope youre well. Talk soon.
