Again?! Listen, Gwen, who was she really bearing that child for? For herself or for us? I get home from work, want to eat dinner, unwind, spend time with you, and instead Im forced to sit with someone elses kid!
Hes not exactly a stranger Gwen shivers and sighs. To be honest, I dont like it either. But Olivia asked She needs her nails done, and you cant take a baby to the salon.
Ian fidgets with his blazer, pulls it off and flings it onto the chair. He needs to feed his nephew, and thats easier in home clothes. The chance of ending up splattered with baby purée? Fiftyfifty.
I get it, but you cant skip the nails, can you? Are you her only one? Why does our family feel like a nursery?
Mums still around, but she cant be on call every day Gwen starts, pulling out a packet of spaghetti.
So youre the one who can, Ian cuts her off. You can do everything for everyone except yourself and me.
He scowls at first, then exhales and relaxes a little. His expression softens. He knows his wife isnt his enemy. Shes just impossible.
Gwen, if you dont dump this burden off your shoulders, itll keep hanging over you, and youll be the one to blame. The one who carries it is the one who suffers.
Gwen pretends to be engrossed in cooking, but she knows Ian is right. She simply doesnt know what to do. She doesnt want to become a second mother to her nephew, nor argue with the family.
It all starts innocently
Gwen, Im feeling ill and Sams in my arms I need to hit the chemist, but I cant leave him alone. Im scared we wont make it. Please help.
So Gwen jumps into the breach without a second thought, not even considering ordering a delivery. Her sister is sick, maybe seriously, and needs rescuing.
Soon shes rescuing all the time.
Need a phone fixed? Olivia rings Gwen. Ran out of groceries? Gwens on it again. A parcel arrives at the collection point? Gwen darts off like a personal courier.
She can afford this. She works remotely with a flexible schedule, so she can step away. That doesnt mean its convenient. Olivias house is a fifteenminute walk away. Roundtrip, plus the time spent shopping, queuing, and all the little errands, easily eats up an hour.
Gwen now works mostly evenings and sometimes nights, when nobody else is stirring. Ian, of course, isnt thrilled, and neither is Gwen. She tries to talk to her sister.
Olivia, whats up with Paul? Isnt he helping you at all? Gwen asks gently, handing over another parcel from the courier.
Of course he helps, Olivia replies readily. He works long hours, comes home exhausted. God willing he can look after Sam while I dash to my shower, the rest is on me.
Olivia looks after her own husband but never thinks about anyone elses. Gwen shrugs and falls silent for a moment.
And his mum? She lives right next door, doesnt she?
Dont even mention her! Olivia rolls her eyes. I dont want anything to do with that nag. When she shows up, its a mental overload until the evening. Shes not a woman, shes a fountain of unwanted advice. Better to starve than to ask her for anything.
Really? No one else? Look, Oksanas kid is about the same age as yours. Maybe you two could swap one watches, the other runs errands. Or Christina, who doesnt work at all.
I feel uncomfortable leaning on strangers, Olivia admits. Theyre not obligated.
My own people are easy to lean on, Gwen sighs.
After that she decides to try saying no to her sister. Even without Ians hints, she knows this cant go on.
The opportunity comes quickly: the very next day Olivia calls to say shes booked a salon appointment.
Gwen, come over, look after Sam for an hour.
Olivias tone is almost commanding. Shes not asking anymore; shes stating a fact. It infuriates Gwen. Why should she upend her entire day just so Olivia can get her nails done?
No, Olivia. I cant today. Sorry.
What do you mean you cant?
I cant solve all your problems. I have a life too.
I understand, but what am I supposed to do? Youre the only one I have. Ive already booked, I cant let someone down. Shes temperamental, she wont accept anyone else.
Olivia, you didnt consult me before you booked. Im not your errandgirl or a motherfigure. Sort it out yourself.
Fine, Olivia says, hurt, after a pause. Easy for you to say, you dont have kids. You dont know how hard it is.
She knows because her nephew is slowly becoming her son. Gwen keeps quiet. Shes a nonconfrontational person, and even this refusal feels like a feat.
Olivia doesnt give up. She drags Mum into it.
Gwen, how can you? her mother starts. Shes your sister, she has a baby, and you refuse! Shes alone! Who will help her if not us?
Mum, when she asked me for medicine I went because she was really ill. But now she calls every day about every little thing Today she even wants to go to the salon! Is it that urgent?
Shes a woman; she wants to look nice. Put yourself in her shoes.
Gwen raises an eyebrow. Nobody has ever put themselves in her shoes.
Mum, since youre so clever, why dont you help her?
Me? Mum gasps. I can barely move! Youre the young one, its easier for you.
Young, childless, still at home Gwen hears those all the time. Shes fed up. That day she finally stands her ground and refuses to help.
In retaliation, Mum and Olivia give her the silent treatment for a whole week, acting as if she doesnt exist. Someone else might have taken it in stride, but Gwen cant find a place for herself and wonders how to mend things with the family.
So when a week later Olivia calls again, begging her to watch Sam while she gets her nails done, Gwen finally says yes. She hates herself for it, but she gives in and slips back into the unpaid nanny role. It feels like there are only two options: become the outcast in her own family or endure.
Gwen, youre too soft, youll end up burning yourself, Ian warns after hearing her story. Be careful. Otherwise shell never loosen her grip.
Gwen sighs and nods. Late at night she ponders how to decline without sparking more resentment.
Sure enough, the phone rings later that day.
Gwen, I cant Sam has a fever, hes crying, and Im running around like a hamster! I cant even sit down, let alone use the loo. Come over, even if I have to juggle him with four hands.
I cant. I have work. We have strict monitoring software on our computers now, even lunch breaks are timed, just like an office.
A few seconds of silence linger. Olivia seems to be looking for a weak spot.
Please, just once, the last time! Ask someone to cover for you, or take a day off.
Olivia cant see the situation clearly. Gwen simply has no choice. She pretends to concede.
Alright Ill figure something out.
Gwen hangs up and texts Paul, asking for his mothers number, saying his wife needs urgent help. Paul doesnt refuse, and his mother, surprised, agrees to pop over to Olivias.
Gwen can even tell exactly when the mother arrives because Olivia bombards her with messages.
Are you out of your mind?! Olivia texts. Why did you call her on me?
You needed help. I asked her to step in, Gwen replies, as if nothing happened. I cant be there myself, you know that.
Olivia reads the messages but says nothing. Gwen feels a tiny victory. Not a war, but a small battle won. Sure, Olivia will be angry, Mum will probably be dissatisfied again, but now her sister will have to manage on her own or learn to rely on those who actually want to help.
