I set a condition
I could see the flour scattered across the kitchen floor, the white streaks on the linoleum looking like odd snowflakes in the dim light of the ceiling lamp. I wasnt in the mood for poetic comparisonsguests were due in an hour and the cake hadnt even been started.
Making a mess again? My wife, Verity, heard my voice as I stepped into the kitchen, sharp with irritation. My mothers coming, and youre as usual.
She pursed her lips.
It wasnt on purpose, Oliver. The bag tore, she said.
Everything in this house keeps breaking, falling, shattering, I snapped, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of sparkling water. Thirtyfive years old and still as clumsy as a child.
Verity began scooping the flour into a dustpan, trying not to show her hurt. Ten years of this life had taught her to swallow her tears.
Alright, Im off to meet my mother, I glanced at my watch. Have the table set by seven. And try not to embarrass yourself tonight, alright? Its her birthday, after all.
When the front door slammed shut behind me, Verity slipped onto a stool and took a deep breath. She recalled how wed met at the public library where she worked. Id seemed attentive thenvisiting daily, borrowing books on her recommendation, staying late. Then Id asked her to the theatre. Shed felt like a heroine from a romance novel: a single mother with a child from a previous marriage, swept up by a handsome, independent man. No one could have guessed how quickly the fairytale would crumble.
Our son, Harry, appeared in the kitchen silently, like a shadow.
Did you bring that again? he asked, nodding toward the front door.
Enough, Verity snapped. Youre talking about your stepfather.
The one who treats you like a servant, Harry muttered.
Verity had nothing to retort. At sixteen, Harry saw everything too clearly.
You should be doing your homework, not eavesdropping on grownups, she muttered, returning to the cleaning.
Harry grimaced but didnt argue. Instead he rolled up his sleeves and began helping his mother.
Mom, we need to talk, he said seriously. I want to apply to a university in London after school. I want to be a programmer.
London? Verity froze, a cloth in her hand. But we agreed on our local collegetheres a dorm, theres
And Oliver, who will keep nagging you at every chance, Harry interrupted. I cant watch that any longer, Mum.
Harry, thats adult life. Families have their ups and downs, Verity said gently.
Its not a family, Mum. Its He waved his hand and left the kitchen.
By the time the guests arrived, Verity had managed to tidy up, set the table, and even bake an apple pieher prideful signature dish. My mother, Margaret Whitmore, a tall woman in an elegant dress, inspected the spread with a critical eye but said nothing. That alone felt like a small victory.
Please, sit down, Margaret, Verity hurried. Harry and Victor will be here any minute.
Margaret settled into a chair, smoothing her silvergrey fringe.
And wheres your boy? she asked, as if referring to a pet.
Harrys in his room; Ill fetch him, Verity replied.
Studying all the time, huh? Whats the point of that? Hell end up just like his father, doing nothing with his hands, Margaret scoffed.
Verity stayed silent. Margaret always dismissed my first marriage with contempt, though shed never met my exhusband. Insulting a dead man felt indecent, but she never dared contradict my motherinlaw.
The doorbell rang, saving us from further remarks. Olivia, my sister, arrived with her husband Victor, a successful businessman whose presence always seemed to irritate me.
Happy birthday, Mum! Olivia threw her arms around Margaret. You look stunning! Youd never guess youre sixty!
Margaret beamed. Olivia always knew the right words.
Verity, Victor kissed my wifes hand, you look wonderful. New haircut?
Thanks for noticing, Verity replied, a little embarrassed as she caught my disapproving stare.
I began pouring champagne, deliberately ignoring Harry, who stood off to the side.
To the birthday girl! I declared. To the most amazing mother in the world!
And to Grandma! Olivia added. By the way we have a surprise for you.
What sort of surprise? Margaret asked warily.
Were expecting a baby! Olivia announced solemnly.
Margarets hands fluttered, tears of joy spilling over. Victor smiled brightly. I forced a tight grin.
Im glad, Verity said quietly. Thats wonderful news.
Why dont you have any yourself? Margaret blurted, turning to me. Youre almost forty and have no children of your own. Only a stepson in the house.
Silence fell. I felt my face flush.
My mother and I discussed this, I muttered through clenched teeth.
What did you discuss? That your wife is building a career? Margaret sneered. What career can you have in a library? All my grandchildrens mothers are nannies, and Im left to stare at your son. If only you had a decent boy
Margaret! Verity snapped. Harrys right here.
Am I lying? Margaret turned to Harry. Always stuck in your corner, never saying a word. London, they say? What nonsense?
I stared in disbelief at my son. How did she know about his plans?
Ill earn it myself, Harry said calmly. Ive already found a freelance gigbuilding websites.
What websites? I interjected. You should be studying properly, not daydreaming.
Its not a daydream; its my future profession, Harry replied firmly. And the pays decent.
Who gave you permission? I raised my voice. You live under my roof; you follow my rules!
Your roof, your rules, Harry muttered. Im not even your son, am I? So I dont have to obey.
I turned crimson.
Thats exactly it! Not my son! Youll never be one!
Oliver! I shouted. Stop this right now!
What did I say? I spread my arms. Im telling the truth! Ive fed you, clothed you for ten years, and you give me nothing but a stare at your computer. Now you want to run off to London behind my back!
Behind my back? Harry grinned. I couldnt care less about your opinion. Youre nobody to me.
Harry! I shouted, desperation in my voice, glancing from my son to my wife. Oliver, please, not today. Its Margarets birthday.
No way, nows perfect! I persisted. Ive tolerated your brat for ten years, and now Im supposed to fund his London studies?
Margaret nodded approvingly, Olivia and Victor stared at their plates, and Harry stood pale but composed.
Ill earn it myself, he repeated. I need nothing from you.
Really? I scoffed. What about a roof over your head? Food? Clothes? All thats mine! If you want to live like that, then No London! Youll study here under my watch. Thats my condition.
Something snapped inside me. Ten years of tolerating criticism, neglect, and indifference had been for stability, for a roof, for Harry. Now I was laying down conditions for my own son.
Enough, perhaps? I whispered. Its Margarets birthday, and weve created a scene.
This is your sons doing, I retorted. Always because of him. You cover for him endlessly! Ungrateful pup and a motherhen. Is that how you expect me to live on my neck?
I rose slowly from the table. The room fell into a heavy hush.
Ive worked thirtyfive years in the library, I said, my voice unexpectedly firm. I have two degrees. I never asked you to support my sonwe managed before you came.
Is that so? I teased. Didnt notice, did I?
Because I didnt want to, Verity answered. You needed a docile housekeeper, not a wife. I became that. But enough.
What does that mean? I asked, brow furrowed.
It means, Verity turned to Harry, that Harry and I are leaving.
The silence in the room turned grave.
Youre insane, I finally blurted. Where are you going?
For starters, to my sisters place, Verity said calmly. Then well find a flat. Ill get a better jobmaybe even in London.
Harry looked at his mother with awe. Hed never seen her like this before.
Thats nonsense, I laughed nervously. Youll starve without me. How much do you earn in that library? Pennies! How will you afford a flat?
Thats no longer my problem, Verity cut in. By the way, Im not just a librarian; Im the head of the department, and my salary is respectable. You never bothered to ask.
What are you talking about! I turned to my mother. Did you hear? Weve got a careerwoman here!
My mother has heard enough, Victor interjected. And perhaps thats enough? Its her birthday, and youre putting on a circus.
What are you doing stepping in? I snapped. Mind your own family!
What family is this? Victor shook his head. The way you treat your wife and stepson, theres no word for it.
Victor, stop, Olivia tried, but it was too late.
Its necessary, Olivia, Victor said firmly. Ive watched this nightmare for ten years. Enough. Oliver, youve become a tyrant. If Veritys leaving, thats the best thing for her.
Margaret gasped in outrage.
How dare you! My son does everything for them, and they
Mom, Olivia softened, Victor is right. Look at whats happening. Its horrible.
Without waiting for more arguing, Verity slipped out of the room, Harry following. In the bedroom she pulled a suitcase and began packing the essentials.
Youre serious? Harry asked, eyes wide.
More than serious, Verity nodded. Pack your things. Were leaving.
How can we? he stammered. We dont have money, no place
I have savings, Verity said, producing a small tin box from the wardrobesomething I never knew existed. Not a lot, but enough for a start. My sisters invited me over, and I have yousmart, talented, wanting to be a programmer. Well manage.
A knock at the door. Olivia stood there.
Are you really going? she whispered.
Yes, Verity answered firmly. Weve had enough.
Olivia hesitated, then reached into her bag and handed Verity an envelope.
Take this. Its from Victor and me. Weve wanted to help for ages but were scared youd hear from you.
Olivia, I cant
You can, Olivia cut in. Youve endured my brothers abuse for ten years and my mothers neglect. Please, take it. Its not charity, its compensation for the hurt youve endured.
Verity hesitated, then took the envelope, seeing the resolve in her sisterinlaws eyes.
Thank you, she whispered. And Im sorry for ruining the celebration.
What celebration? Olivia waved her hand. At least now Oliver might think twice about his behaviour, though I doubt it.
When Verity and Harry emerged into the living room, tension hung thick. I sat scowling, Margaret pressed her lips together, Victor watched with a faint smile.
Were leaving, Verity said simply. Thank you for everything, Oliver. And sorry if anything went wrong.
You you I leapt up, words stuck.
No more drama, Victor grimaced. Were fed up. Need a lift?
No, thanks, Verity shook her head. Well take a taxi ourselves.
The door closed behind us, and I felt a strange lightness, as if a heavy backpack Id carried for a decade had finally been set down. Harry took my hand, just as he used to when we were kids.
Youre awesome, Mum, he said softly. Im proud of you.
Thanks, love, I smiled. You know, maybe London isnt such a bad idea after allnew city, new life
We descended the stairs and stepped out into the courtyard. Early May was dawning, and the sweet scent of blackthorn filled the air.
My phone rang. I saw Olivers name on the screen.
Dont answer, Harry whispered.
But I lifted the receiver.
Yes, Oliver?
Come back immediately! he roared. I wont let you walk out like that! If you want the child, take him, but stay here yourself. Thats my condition!
I laughed, a sound I hadnt made in years, free and easy.
You no longer have the right to set conditions for me, Oliver, I said. No conditions. Never again.
I hung up, and the taxi pulled up. We slipped inside, the car pulling away toward a fresh start.
Back on the fourth floor, I smashed my phone against the wall, then turned to Margaret, hoping for some support. She stared at me oddly, as if seeing me anew.
You really are unbearable, Oliver, she finally said. How did I miss that?
She began to weep, not out of spite but from a sudden awareness of her own mistakesraising a son whod grown selfish and loveless. Whether it was too late to mend anything, she could not tell.
