You gave me an apartment, she said.
Its my apartment! Mom and the rest of the family are against me letting my pregnant cousin stay here.
You gave it to me, though!
Dont you get it? This is family! How can you treat your own niece like that? Shes pregnant and has nowhere to go!
Élodie tightened her grip on the phone while standing in the kitchen. Her mothers voice, both pleading and accusing, filled the earpiece. Typical mom: even when asking a favor, she made her feel guilty.
Mom, I want to help, but Élodie faltered, searching for words. Amélie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Valérie said two weeks, just until she finds a job?
And? The job market is tight right now
She isnt even looking! a wave of irritation washed over Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom making hair masks, then bingewatching series. And then
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! And before that?
A heavy silence fell. Élodie heard her mothers theatrical sigh, the one that implied, What a insensitive daughter, I raised you wrong.
Mom, its my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, right?
Technically, her mothers tone grew dry, it belongs to the family. Were just letting you live there.
Élodie closed her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my graduation.
Of course! But you know how family works
What are you supposed to do? Élodie interrupted. Put up with Amélie eating my food, using my stuff, and bringing her boyfriend over when Im not home? The very boyfriend who got her pregnant, by the way.
Élodie! the voice hardened. Aunt Valérie has done so much for us! When dad was ill, who helped us? Who looked after you while I was working day and night?
She sighed. She knew that line by heartthe endless debt to Aunt Valérie.
Im truly grateful to her. That doesnt mean I have to
She called me yesterday, her mother cut in, in tears. She says youre harassing Amélie over trivial things.
Élodie laughed.
Trivial? She took my new sweater without asking and stained it with juice! Then she had the nerve to say, Youre not mad, were family, without even apologizing!
Its just a piece of clothing
Its not the sweater! her throat tightened. Its about respect, boundaries, feeling like a stranger in your own home.
A new silence settled. Then her mother whispered, trying to persuade:
Grandma would have been so disappointed. To her, family meant
No, Élodie snapped. Dont bring her into every argument.
But its true! The flat comes from her inheritance. She wanted
What? That I house Amélie forever? That I endure her whims?
The phone buzzed: Aunt Valérie. Of course.
Mom, its Aunt. Shes probably going to tell me what a bad cousin I am.
Answer her. Be reasonable.
Alright, Élodie sighed. Ill call back later.
She let the call go to voicemail, bracing herself for more accusations.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! a overly sweet voice sang. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine, Élodie winced. That nickname never promised anything good.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned misunderstandings between you two?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings, of course.
Aunt, you said two weeks, maybe a month at most.
You sound like a notary! she forced a laugh. Family doesnt work like that.
So what does family do? Élodies anger rose. Steal my things? Invite friends over when Im not there?
Look, Amélie is just sociable, she
Shes used to everyone solving everything for her. My parents bought your share. It was a gift for me.
Not exactly, the tone chilled. Its a family inheritance. Your mother and I agreed
That youd sell your share to my parents at market price.
Money, always money! a hysterical sigh. And Amélies baby? Have you thought about where shell go?
She has a boyfriend. The father, by the way.
An irresponsible one! He left Lyon when he learned she was pregnant.
Élodie thought, I wonder why, before replying:
You have a threeroom flat, you and Uncle Claude. Why doesnt she stay with you?
A heavy silence answered.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you get along so well! It would be a wonderful mothering experience for you.
So well, Élodie murmured, a bitter smile forming. Amélie, the perpetual irresponsible, while she, the responsible one, always had to give in.
I cant keep this up. She has to leave.
What?! Shes pregnant! You want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Élodie held back a barrage of insults, wielding guilt by proxy as her final weapon.
Im not throwing her out right now. She has a month to
Im calling your mother! This is scandalous! After everything weve done for you!
The line cut. Her hands trembled.
The front door slammed. Heels clicked.
Elo! a sugary voice cooed. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married some techrich guy. Her ringso jealousinducing!
Amélie entered, tanned, flawless nails, designer jeans, showing no sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? The sofa by the window? A little nook for the baby
Élodie stared, feeling the last thread of her patience snap.
Amélie, we need to talk.
Not now, okay? Headache. These hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. Élodie raised her voice. You have to go.
Shock froze Amélie.
What?
You have a month to find a place.
You youre kidding? This is our inheritance! I have as many rights as you do!
No. My parents bought the share. Its legal.
Family beats the law! Im pregnant!
You have your parents. The father. Friends.
Im calling Mom! Amélie pulled out her phone.
Useless. Shes already called.
Amélie stared back, eyes hard.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed shut.
Élodie looked out the window. Instead of guilt, a tired relief washed over her.
Her phone buzzed: a text from her motherAunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
Without replying, she opened a browser and typed Apartment rental Bordeaux.
Three months later, Élodie sipped coffee at Place de la Comédie, opposite Théo, her boyfriend shed met in Paris.
You dont regret any of this? he asked.
No. I just wish Id acted sooner.
Her phone rang. Her father.
Hey, Dad.
I have news. We sold the flat.
Grandmas place? But
Amélie moved back with her parents. He let out a short laugh. After you left, she tried to crash here, but we dealt with it. The moneys yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry for the pressure.
Tears welled up.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even when we didnt support you.
She hung up, watching snowflakes drift over Bordeaux.
Everything okay? Théo squeezed her hand.
I think I finally became an adult.
The snow gently erased the past, opening a new chapter where she would decide who to welcome into her home and into her heart.
