I’ve Always Dreamed of Stepping Into My Brother’s Shoes, But Everything Soon Turned Upside Down

I have always dreamed of being in my brothers shoes, but everything soon turned upside down.
My mother got pregnant with me when she was eighteen. My father left us as soon as he heard the newshe didnt want a family, only endless parties and friends. My mothers parents, my grandparents, were outraged. In a small town near Lille, having a child out of wedlock was seen as a disgrace, and my grandfather drove my mother out of the house, shouting, I never want to see such an irresponsible girl again! I cant even picture what she enduredso young, alone, a baby in her arms. Yet she persevered: she enrolled in a correspondence university, found work, and gave everything she had. She was assigned a room in a boarding house, and the two of us began our life together. I had to grow up faster than other kidsI did the shopping, the cleaning, warmed up meals. Playtime? There was none. From an early age, I became her pillar, her only man.
I never complainedI was proud of it. Then Victor entered our lives. I liked him: he brought chocolates, pleased Mom, looked after her. She glowed when he was around, and one day she announced, Victor and I are getting married and moving into a big house. I was thrilledI longed for a real father figure and hoped Victor would fill that role. At first everything was wonderful. I finally had my own space to rest, listen to music, read books. Victor helped Mom, and his eyes sparkled with joy.
Soon after, she said she was expecting a child. Not long after, Victor told me, Youll have to move into the pantry. Thatll be the babys room. I didnt understand the house was huge, why me? The next day my belongings were already piled into a tiny corner that could fit only a single bed. It felt unjust, but I kept quietused to enduring.
When my little brother Michel was born, the nightmare began. His cries kept me up, I shuffled around like a zombie. My school grades fell, teachers scolded me, and Mom shouted, You must be a role model for your brother! Stop bringing shame on us, lazy one! As Michel grew, more duties were addedtaking him to the park, pushing his stroller. Others teased me, I blushed with shame, yet I stayed silent. Everything besttoys, clotheswent to Michel. When I asked for something for myself, Victor replied curtly, No money. I dropped Michel off at daycare, picked him up, cooked, cleanedliving in the hope that he would grow up so I could finally be free.
When Michel started school, Mom ordered me to help with his homework. He was spoiled, capricioushe did poorly, and my attempts to correct him only led to complaints to Mom. She always defended him, and I was rebuked, Youre the oldest; you must be more patient! He bounced from one school to another, failing everywhere. Eventually he was placed in a private school where poor grades were ignored in exchange for money. I entered a mechanic training programnot by choice, but to escape home.
Then came distance learning and workI toiled day and night, saving for my own place. I got married, found peace. And Michel? Victor gave him an apartment, yet he still lives with our parents, rents the place, and squanders money. He refuses to work, spends his days glued to the TV. One New Years Eve we gathered at my parents house. His latest girlfriend, Léa, was there. I overheard their conversation in the kitchen.
Youre lucky with your brother, she told my wife, Marie. Stanislas is a real hardworker, responsible. Why isnt Michel like that? I ask him to live together, start a family, but he clings to his mother. The rent money does us no good.
Yes, Stan is wonderful, Marie smiled. Forget Michel; he doesnt deserve you. Hell never be a good husband.
I stood frozen. Michel switched girlfriends as often as shirts, but none stayedMom drove them all away, deeming them unworthy of her golden boy. He never resisted, living in his laziness like a cocoon. In that moment I realized I no longer envied him. All the dreams I hadbeing in his placewere nothing but wind. Fate gave me hardships, but also rewards. I have a family, a loving wife, a daughter, a home I built with my own hands. I am proud of myself, and for the first time I rejoice that I am not Michel. My life is my hardwon, genuine victory.