Eleanor wanted to mark her anniversary at our place and asked us to clear the flat.
Katie, has Tom already told you? the motherinlaw asked. Listen, therell be up to twenty guests, so well start cooking in the evening. Ill arrive early, around sixp.m.
What? In the evening? Katie replied skeptically. No, I never agreed to that.
Hold on, I havent finished, the motherinlaw said. Ive already sent Tom a shopping list; he promised to buy everything.
Tom had always looked after his older sister Susan. By the time she turned thirty she had married and divorced twice, each time blaming the wrong partner. Their mother, Margaret Harris, had been telling her son since he was a boy:
Your sister needs help.
And Tom helped. He gave her money when Susan was temporarily out of work, repaired the flat she rented, and hauled her belongings after every split.
Then Tom got married.
Katie endured at first. But when Susan, for the fifth time that year, asked to borrow their car for a few days because it had broken down again, Katie said gently but firmly:
Tom, isnt it enough? We need the car this weekend too. I thought we had plans
Whats the problem? Cant we walk?
No, we cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyve sent us two buckets of cucumbers. I thought youd heard me mention it.
Right I heard something, but Susans situation is urgent.
Again? What is it this time?
Im not sure, Tom muttered, but she needs it more.
No, Tom. This time it wont happen! Either you refuse your sister, or you buy me a car. Im tired of taking the bus when you could drive me where I need to go.
Tom hesitated, about to call Susan to say no, when Margaret cut in:
Are you going to abandon your sister for your wife? Shes alone! Who else will help her?
And Tom helped again, despite the fights with his wife. One day they went days without speaking, and Tom finally snapped:
What are you doing, silent? Are you upset?
Really? It took you three days to realise? Katie snapped.
Just I cant guesswhat exactly?
Katie laughed at his confusion:
Seriously? Dont you get it? Your sister took you away for the whole weekend because she needed to get to the cottage of a friend. I thought youd only give her a lift, but you ended up staying two days. Doesnt that bother you?
Whats there to bother about? We had a few drinks, her ex was there, we chatted normally. I had to celebrate somehow. Why would I, as a fool, have to go?
You couldve at least called.
You could have, too, Tom shot back.
I did call! Your phone was off. Imagine what I thought? I was on edge, not knowing where my husband was. And he simply decided to take a break from me, Katie fumed.
Dont make things up, Tom waved off, indicating his phone was ringing.
Tom stepped onto the balcony and finally answered. He knew his wife would never like another conversation with his sister.
Hey, brother! Susan chirped on the line. My anniversary is in two weeksthirty years! You get it, right?
Tom glanced at Katie, who was ladling soup.
So what do you want? he asked.
You get me! I want to celebrate at your place. Your living room is huge. My rented flat is cramped and the landlord is a nightmare. A restaurant is too pricey.
Maybe we could do it at a café? Ill chip in whatever you need.
Are you mad? This is an anniversary! You want me to spend on a venue when you have a flat of your own? And youll still have to pay, because Im not a millionaires daughter.
Let me talk to Katie first. Its her flat too. Maybe she had other plans.
Its too late! Susan interrupted. Ive already told everyone the partys at your house. Clear the flat for the whole day, okay? Mum says shell cook everything.
Tom sighed, covering his face with his hand, trying to think of a way out. His phone buzzed againthis time a message from his mother.
Susans put together a menu. Heres the list of dishes. We need to buy the ingredients. Tell Katie to help out, and she can cook too.
At that moment Katie, unaware of Susans upcoming celebration, settled into her armchair with the remote, ready to watch her favourite drama. When Tom entered the room, eyes down, she immediately understood.
So what now? she asked calmly, pausing the show.
Katie, listen Susans anniversary, you know, thirty years. Its a date she wants to mark.
Katie looked up.
Well, let her celebrate. Are we going to forbid it?
Tom scratched his head.
Its not that she wants to celebrate at ours.
What? In our flat? Katie stood up, startled. Hold on. One evening? She says a restaurant is expensive and her home is cramped
And you agreed?
I said Id talk to you first! But Susans already invited everyone, and Mum is planning the menu
Katie closed her eyes, breathing heavily.
Tom, are you an adult? Or just a messenger for Susans wishes?
What are you starting?
Im starting, Katie said with irony, holding up her phone. And no one even called me? This is my flat, not a transit point for your relatives. Susan wants to party in my house, I have to help her, and also assist your motherwithout even being asked!
Just then Katies phone rang.
Oh, the icing on the cake, she muttered, waving the device. Your mother
Katie, has Tom told you? the motherinlaw blurted. Look, therell be up to twenty people, so well start preparing in the evening. Ill be there around six.
What? In the evening? Katie replied skeptically. No, I never signed up for that.
Hold on, Im not done. Tom already has a shopping list; he promised to buy everything.
Fine but where will the money come from?
Tom promised to help, Margaret said shortly.
So you want to turn my flat into a restaurant and we have to foot the bill? Katie snapped.
Susan isnt a stranger! Its just one daycut some veg, make salads, sandwiches youre the lady of the house!
Margaret, Katie interjected, I just heard about the party. I never gave permission for Susans birthday to be in my flat.
You keep saying my flat. You and Tom are married. Everythings joint! the motherinlaw retorted.
If it were Toms flat, youd say something different. Then Id just be a dependent, Katie replied.
Enough nonsense. The conversations over. By Friday we need to buy everything, Margaret said, hanging up.
What was that? Katie asked Tom, hearing the click of the line.
Stop playing the victim! Tom finally said. Youve been told youre wrong. Admit your mistake and stop digging your heels in.
Katie was stunned. She rose, opened the wardrobe, and silently packed Toms shirts and jeans into a large sports bag. Then she went to the bedroom, opened the chest of drawers, and methodically folded his clothes.
Meanwhile Tom, feeling victorious, cracked open the fridge, grabbed a beer, slammed the door, and plopped down in front of the TV as if nothing had happened. He thought Katie would simply cool off and everything would return to normal. He even turned on the football, expecting her to call him for dinner. He was wrong.
Half an hour later Katie stood in the hallway with a shopping bag, a sports bag packed to the brim with Toms belongings. Tom left the living room to get another drink, only to find his wife waiting.
Whats this now? he muttered. What kind of drama is this?
Katie looked at him coldly.
This isnt drama, Tom. Its the end. I wont be a shadow in my own life, a servant in our flat, or a prop for your mothers and sisters whims. If you want to be a good son and brother, finego back to your mother and help her plan the party. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner of her living room.
Youre serious? he stepped toward her. Im not going back.
Absolutely serious, Katie nodded. Ive tolerated enough that I now even question myself. But Ive had my fill. If you cant learn to respect me in three years, things will only get worse.
Katie you cant ruin everything in one moment!
Its impossible to ruin whats already fallen apart.
Tom smirked, still not grasping that Katie had made her final decision.
And thats that, Katie added. All your shirts and jeans are right here. You dont have to thank me. Just leave now.
He tried to speak, but Katie opened the front door. Tom stood, fury burning his cheeks, his lips clenched. He still hoped Katie might relent, but her calm only fueled his anger.
So thats it! he shouted. You think youll find someone better? There are plenty out there!
Katie sighed and stepped back.
Finding someone like you thank goodness.
Youll regret this! Tom yelled, lunging for the bag. Youll be on your knees when you realise no one wants to talk to you! Without me youre nobody!
If nobody means a person who lives in his own flat, works, doesnt cater to his relatives, and wont tolerate abuse, then Im happy to be no one.
Tom left, and Katie was left alone. She took a deep breath, moved to the window, pulled back the curtain, and watched as her former husband shoved the bag into the trunk of a taxi.
Months passed. The divorce was bitter. Tom tried to paint Katie as greedy and mercenary. The biggest dispute was over the car theyd bought together. He claimed hed paid for it all, while Katie argued shed contributed as well.
Your Honour, I paid every penny; the car is in my name! My wife got nothing! he declared.
Katie calmly spread a folder of bank statements, transfer receipts, and a signed deposit agreement shed kept.
Im not fighting for his share, but I wont give up whats mine, she said, and the judge sided with fairness.
Tom was furious. He walked out of the courtroom with a scowl, his face twisted with anger.
At home his mother shouted, You idiot! You gave her everythingcar, flat! Why didnt you get a decent solicitor?
On top of that, Tom had taken out a loan to fund Susans anniversary dinner at a restaurant because hed handed over his flat. Now he was left with a cramped spare room in Margarets house.
Katie finally slept peacefully. She decided she was still young enough not to cling to men like Tom. Good partners are out thereshe just needed to recognise who they really are.
The whole ordeal taught her that love should never demand you surrender your own home, your dignity, or your voice. Respect and partnership must be mutual; otherwise, the only thing left is an empty flat and a bitter heart. The lesson: never let anyones wishes turn your life into their convenience.
