All my life, I dreamed of being in my brothers place, but soon everything changed.
My mother fell pregnant with me when she was nineteen. My father walked out on us straight away. He didnt want the responsibility of a familyhis life was all about parties and mates. My grandparents were furious with my mum, thinking it was shameful to have a child out of wedlock. My grandfather kicked her out, saying he wouldnt tolerate an irresponsible daughter.
Mum went through hell but managed to pull through. She enrolled in evening classes and landed a job. She was given a tiny room in student digs. I had to grow up fast, doing the shopping, cleaning, and heating up meals. There was no time for playingfrom as far back as I can remember, I was always busy helping her.
I never complained because I knew I was the only man in the family, even if I was just a kid.
After a while, Mum started seeing a bloke named Andrew. I liked him straight offhed bring me sweets and extra food for the flat. Mum was happy. One day, she told me they were getting married and wed move to a proper house. I was over the moon, desperate for a dad and hoping Andrew would step up.
At first, everything seemed grand. I finally had a break from chores, time to listen to music and read books. I even had my own bedroom. Andrew helped Mum out, and she looked brighter than ever.
A few months later, Mum told me I was getting a little brother or sister. Not long after, Andrew said I had to move into a box rooma glorified cupboardbecause my bedroom was being turned into the babys nursery. I didnt get why I had to shift, especially with other rooms going spare.
The next day, all my stuff was dumped in the new room. I knew it wasnt fair, but I kept my mouth shut.
When James was born, my nights turned to chaos. He cried non-stop, and at school, I started slipping. Teachers gave me grief, and Mum lost her temper.
You should be setting an example for your brother! Instead, youre just lazy and embarrassing us, shed shout whenever my marks dropped.
James grew up, and I was stuck looking after him. Id push his pram around the estate, burning with shame. The lads on the block took the mick, but there was nothing I could do.
James got the best of everything. If I asked for anything, Andrew always said, Moneys tight. Id drop James at nursery in the morning, pick him up in the afternoon, feed him, then clean the house. I just prayed hed grow up fast.
When James started school, Mum said I had to help with his homework. He was spoiled and stubborn. No matter how hard I tried, his grades were rubbish. If I told him off, hed run to Mum, and shed always take his side, scolding me instead.
James got shuffled from one school to another but never fitted in. In the end, they stuck him in a posh private school where top marks came at a steep price.
I went to a technical college and trained as a mechanic. It wasnt my passion, but I needed out.
Later, I got into uni and found work. I slogged day and night to save up for my own flat. A few years on, I got married.
James was handed a flat by Andrew but still lives with Mum and Dad. He wont work, living off the rent instead.
At a New Years dinner, the whole family gathered at my parents place, including Jamess girlfriend. Walking past the kitchen, I overheard a chat.
Youre lucky with Tom. Hes hardworking, responsible, committed. Why cant James be like that? I ask him to settle down, but hes still glued to his mums apron strings. Hes got rental money but does sod all, Jamess girlfriend moaned.
Toms brilliant, my wife replied. Ditch Jameshes not worth it. Hell never be a proper husband.
And she was right. Plenty of women tried to change James, but he didnt need anyone. He spent whole days sprawled on the sofa watching telly. Mum couldnt stand any of his girlfriendsnone were good enough for her boy.
Thats when it hit me: I was proud of myself, genuinely happy. Life paid me back for all the rough patches. Now Ive got a lovely family, a wife who adores me, a cracking little daughter, and a home of my ownall earned through graft.
