“Not His Problem”
“Tell Jeremy to come over right now!” My daughter was practically choking on her words. “All three kids are running a fever and throwing tantrums. I cant get them to the clinic alone. He needs to drive ushe has to help!”
Valerie nodded, though Margaret couldnt see her. Inside, her stomach twisted with worry for her grandchildren.
“Ill sort it, love. Dont panic,” Valerie said, forcing calm into her voice to keep Margaret from spiraling further.
She hung up and froze. Her fingers fumbled through her contacts, searching for Jeremys number. Three sick kids, Margaret on her own, her husband stuck at work. This was an emergency.
Jeremy would helpshe was sure of it.
First ring. Second. Finally, he answered.
“Mum, hi,” her son said hurriedly.
“Jeremy, sweetheart, its urgent,” Valerie kept her tone measured. “Margaret just called. All three kids are illthey need to see a doctor. Her husband cant leave work. Could you take them? It wont take long.”
Silence. She heard his breathing, the muffled noise of chatter in the background.
“Mum, I cant today,” Jeremy sighed. “Its Emmas birthday. We booked this restaurant two weeks ago. Margarets place is across town, and the traffics a nightmare. Wed lose our reservation. So, nonot this time.”
Valerie tightened her grip on the phone. Her palm was slick. Was he really refusing?
“Jeremy, listen to me. Those children are sick. Your nieces and nephew!” She fought to keep from shouting. “Margaret cant handle three feverish toddlers alone. They need a doctor now!”
“Mum, I get it, but weve got plans,” Jeremy replied flatly. “We cant cancel over this. She can call a taxi. Or you and Dad can help. Whats the big deal?”
Valerie sank onto a chair, legs buckling. She couldnt believe what she was hearing.
“Your fathers at work!” Her voice cracked. “I cant manage three sick kids on my own! How can you not see that?”
“Sorry, Mum. Cant do it.” His tone turned sharp. “Not my problem. The kids are Margarets responsibility. Shell figure it out.”
Valerie gasped. Had he really just said that?
“How is it not your problem?!” she shrieked. “Shes your sister! Your family! You cant help her just once?!”
“I said no. Were heading out soongotta go.” The line went dead.
The dial tone drilled into her ears. Valerie stared at the phone, numb. Her hands shook. She called again. No answer. Again. Silence.
Something hot and furious boiled inside her. How dare he? She dialed her daughter-in-law. Maybe Emma could talk sense into him.
“Valerie?” Emma answered too quickly, voice light.
“Emma, love,” Valerie fought to steady herself. “Please, tell Jeremy to help. Those are his nieces and nephew! Theyre ill! Margarets struggling! Youre a motheryou understand!”
Emma sighed. Her reply was cool, detached.
“Valerie, parents handle their own childrens problems. Theres taxis, theres the NHS. The kids arent babies. Margarets a grown woman. Shell manage.”
Valerie went rigid. That stung worse than Jeremys refusal.
“Emma, do you have any idea what its like hauling three sick toddlers in a cab?!” Valeries restraint snapped. “Theyre tiny! She cant do it alone!”
“Her children, Valerie,” Emma said, indifferent. “We planned this night ages ago. Were not ruining it over someone elses drama.”
Shock gave way to rageclean, scorching.
“Then dont come crying to us when you have kids of your own!” Valerie slammed the phone down.
The next few days blurred. Valerie didnt call Jeremy. He didnt call her. She tried not to dwell on it, but the bitterness gnawed at her.
Nights were worse. Lying awake, replaying that wretched conversation. Where had she gone wrong raising him? How had he turned out so cold?
Her husband tried to talk about it, but she brushed him off. She needed to work it out herself. Understand how it had come to this.
By the fourth evening, she snapped. She drove to Jeremys. They had to talk face-to-face. She needed to see how he could betray his own family.
Emma opened the door, surprised but wordless as she stepped aside. Valerie marched in, still in her coat.
“Wheres Jeremy?” she demanded.
“In there.” Emma nodded to the living room.
Valerie threw the door open. Jeremy looked up, and for a second, something flickered in his eyesthen nothing.
“Mum? Whats wrong?”
“How could you?!” Her shout made him flinch. Everything shed bottled up erupted. “You left sick children stranded! Your sister! I didnt raise you to be this selfish!”
Jeremy stood slowly, face unreadable. The indifference made it worse.
“You couldve called a taxi,” he shrugged. “Gone yourself. Im not dropping everything every time Margaret panics.”
He paused, locking eyes with her.
“Or have you forgotten how Margaret cut us off?” His voice was ice. “The things shes said since we bought this place. Six months of silence, and now suddenly she needs help?”
Valerie faltered. Words lodged in her throat.
“Thatsthats just” she stammered. “Margarets renting with three kids! You and Emma own a flat, no childrenof course shes hurt! And since when doesnt she greet you? Whats she been saying?”
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. Emma leaned in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Plenty. Trash-talking Emma, slagging me off. Our flats none of her business,” Jeremy said coldly. “We earned this place. No handouts. Margarets problems are hers to fix. Not drag my family into it through you.”
Valerie stepped closer, fists clenched.
“Whats wrong with you?! Shes your sister! Your blood!”
“No, Mum,” Jeremy raised his voice. “Emmas my family. Margaret shouldve thought harder before having three kids. Im not her on-call chauffeur.”
Valerie recoiled.
“Youre heartless! Your sisters drowning, and you wont lift a finger!”
“Help her?” Jeremy scoffed. “Why would I help someone who hasnt spoken to me in half a year? Were done, Mum. Howd you miss that?”
He took a breath, quieter now:
“But why would you notice? Its always been about Margaret. Im an afterthought.”
“Youre cruel! How can you say that?” Valerie turned away, unable to look at him. “I raised you better than this!”
She stormed out. On the pavement, she stopped, gasping. The cold air burned her cheeks but didnt clear her head.
Walking to the bus stop, one thought looped: Where had she failed? How had he turned out like this? Why didnt he understandfamily helps family?
But deeper down, in a corner she avoided, doubt stirred. Jeremys words about Margaret cutting ties. The digs about their flat. His own family now. Her favouritism.
She halted mid-step. Passersby swerved around her.
What if he was right? What if shed pushed too hard, blind to his side?
No. She shook her head violently. Unthinkable. She was the mother. She knew best.
But the seed was planted. Small, sharp, growing with every step toward home.
On the bus, she stared out the window. Life marched on outside. Inside, something had shattered.
She didnt know if she could fix it. If theyd ever speak the same way again. If she could forgive himor if hed forgive her blindness.
The bus rattled over potholes. Valerie shut her eyes. Maybe tomorrow would bring clarity. Maybe the right words would come. Maybe the family would stitch itself back together.
Or maybe it was already too late.
