A Babysitter for My Brother
So, what happened, Beth? Still ignoring you?
Shes not answering at all! Beth sighed and dropped her phone on the counter. Hasnt replied since six in the evening! I didnt go to Mums because of her I need to cook there and here, and now Ive got no one to look after Harry So much for raising a helper!
Right then, the front door clicked open.
Oh, youre not in bed yet? Emma called out over her shoulder, not even taking her headphones out, and made her way straight to her room, completely ignoring her parents.
But Mum wasnt about to let that slide.
Emma! Stay right there! Mums voice made Emma freeze, though she didnt turn around. Where are you off to? Youre late by what, six hours? Care to explain that?
Emma finally pulled her headphones out.
Whats all the fuss about?
You promised! Beth said, sounding beaten. You promised youd watch Harry tonight!
Emma, dreaming of collapsing into bed, muttered through gritted teeth, Well, it didnt work out. Nobody died. You were home, werent you?
I told you a week ago youd need to watch your brother tonight! Dads working late, theres no one else, and I had to go check on Nana. Dont you care about your brother, your gran, or even your own mum?
Honestly, Emma just lost track of time. She stayed out with her uni mates, then Tom suggested everyone come round his place, and before she knew it the hours had disappeared. Thats what she told herself, anyway.
But the reality was, her phone hadnt diedshe turned it off herself.
I did promise, Mum, but plans changed.
Come here, let me smell your breath, Mum snapped.
What, is this a prison now? Emma shot back.
Youve been drinking, Mum stated. Parties are more important than your family, I see.
Thats when Emma lost it. Yes! Maybe they are! Its not like I signed up to be your live-in babysitter. I wont do it. You wanted a kid so late in life, you look after him. Ive got my own life.
Her dad, whod never once shouted at Emma or really even scolded her, had heard enough and stepped in.
Were not trying to make you our nanny. We rarely ask much of you! But tonight was important, and you agreed to help Emma, youre six hours late. You turned your phone off. And now youre blaming us?
Im not blaming anyone, but Harrys YOUR kid. Yes, I went out. Everyone was going, why shouldnt I?
Theyd always gone easy on Emma with chores. Not long ago she was a schoolgirl herself, now at a good uni, studying a tough subject. They understood that, and tried not to pile on.
But Emma wasnt in the mood for sympathy.
You know whats worse, Emma? Mum jumped in. Worse is that I couldnt go see your nana because of you. She cant even cook for herself, you know! But here I am, stretched between a three-year-old and a poorly mum!
Emma undoing the elaborate hairstyle her friend at uni had done said coldly, Not my problem, Mum. You wanted a baby at your age, you take care of him. I dont owe you anything.
It stung. Even Dad winced.
Emma, thats too much!
Why? Im studying, socialising, making friendsand maybe, just maybe, looking out for a future husband! Not sitting at home playing house with you lot!
Dad sat her down at the table.
Emma, have a seat and listen. No ones asking you to be a full-time nanny. We just asked for a favourhelp your family, not take a job. And you said yes.
Emma, having already started this war, shot back, I did, and then I changed my mind. Life happens.
Life happens, but you chose to change your plans and didnt even let us know, Dad replied. I get that you have your studies and your friends, but, Emma, youre still part of this family. We dont lock you in, but surely you could find a couple of hours a week to help with your brother? Just so we can pop to the doctor or, like tonight, go see Nana?
She didnt let him finish. She rolled her eyes, tipped her head back, and as she did, hairpins rained from her hair.
No.
Why not?
Because its not my responsibility, Dad. I shouldnt have to give up my life just because you want help.
Inside, Emma braced herself for a massive row. Surely now theyd go nuclear
Alright, Dad said, surprisingly calm. Got it. I hear you.
Waithe heard her? Where was the shouting? Where was the threat to take away her phone or the deep speech about how shed one day regret not helping her parents?
So thats it? Emma asked.
Thats it. Lets call it a night.
Slightly thrown by how easily shed been dismissed, Emma scarpered to the bathroom to take her makeup offand finally, sleep. The evening had exhausted her. Especially the run-in with her parents.
But Mum and Dad werent done discussing things in their room.
How can she be so heartless, Mark? Beths voice was sad now, not angry. We brought them up like all the othersnothing denied, nothing forbidden for no reason. We werent tyrants! Yet its like she doesnt love us at all. Are we just meant to beg her to watch Harry now?
No, Mark shook his head. No more begging. If she thinks she owes us nothing, then we owe her nothing back. Not until she learns what its really like to stand on her own two feet.
***
The next morning didnt start with coffee, but the heavy mood left over from last night.
Emma was the first one in the kitchen. She gulped some water and picked at a few sad sandwiches left in the fridge. As Mum came in, carrying Harry, Emma immediately stuck her head in her phoneto dodge any lectures. But Mum was silent through breakfast. Then Dad arrived, greeting her with:
Morning, he said, almost formally.
Oh wow, speaking to me now? Emma replied, sarcasm leaking through.
Dad opened the family budget spreadsheet on his laptop.
Emma, we need a chat.
She rolled her eyes.
About my responsibility again? Look, I already said
Not about responsibility, he cut her off. Well, that too, I guess, but mainly about money. Starting this month, we expect your share for food and the bills. I mean, your share of what everything costs.
Emma smirked, thinking this was some weird new jokeDads way of winding her up after last night.
Ha, Dad. Not bad. But Im not falling for it.
But Dad was clearly serious.
Not a joke, Emma. From now on, youre an adultyoure paying your way. All of it.
Even little Harry, busy smearing breakfast around the table, glanced up, worried by his dads tone.
What? Emma breathed.
You said you dont owe us anything. Alright. So you no longer depend on us for daily stuff. This month, you pay your portion of groceries, your share of the bills, and most importantlyyour uni fees.
Emma realised thenDad wasnt just being stubborn. He meant it. Had she really upset them that much?
Dad, listen to yourself. Fine, you dont want to feed mebut uni? You always said thats sacred. Youll never be able to not pay for my uni, I know you.
I can, he replied. Youre nineteen. Legally, youre an adult. Adults pay their own way. We always said well support you as long as youre studying and living here, but that supports based on mutual respect andfranklyhelping out when we need it. You refused. So, we stop too, in every sense.
Beth glanced over at MarkAre we going too far?
Emma flung down her slice of cheese, stood up abruptly, and snapped, Ill just not eat then! Dont want you putting it on my bill!
They finished breakfast without her. Emma got dressed noisily in her room, then dashed out for her lectureswhich, for now, were still paid.
Did we go too far? Beth whispered.
Mark forced down a bite of cheese and grunted, Just right, Beth! If no one owes anyone anything, shes an adult now. Let her pay her own way. Tough, but necessary. Otherwise shell never stop using everyone else.
Emma barely saw her parents now. She left early, came back late, and stopped eating at home entirely. Beth, despite Marks warnings, quietly asked if she was eating properly, but Emma just gave her a withering look and walked on.
She found a job in a local cafétook over from a friend who quit suddenly. So now, after lectures, Emma was putting in four-hour shifts carrying trays, but at least she had some money.
Her parents still worried, but stood their ground.
She missed dinner again, Mark. Look at hershes running herself ragged. I know were trying to make a point, but how far will she push herself? Beth fretted.
Shell get over it, Beth. Shell see that family means helping out, and shell get over herself. Shes just proving a point with her pride.
And then, three months into this silent standoff, Emma finally gave in.
Alright, fine. Your blackmail worked. I cant work after lectures and keep up with everything, especially when they pay peanuts. Ill look after Harry. A few times a week, three hours at a time. Call it my job now. You win. Andheres what Ive managed to save for my bills and rent.
She placed a stack of fifty-pound notes on the table. It was only a few hundred pounds, not nearly enough, but shed tried. Her parents didnt take it.
Emma we never wanted to hurt you. Were not holding you to ransom, Mum said gently. We didnt look after you all these years because we had to, but because youre our daughter and we love you. Please, show us a bit of care in return. Just be there.
I know. Im sorry, Emma saidand hugged them both.
