All my life, I dreamed of being in my brothers place, but soon everything shifted.
My mother fell pregnant with me at nineteen. My father left us straightaway. He had no interest in the burdens of familyhis world was pints and mates. My grandparents were livid with her, calling it a disgrace to have a child out of wedlock. My grandfather threw her out, declaring he wouldnt tolerate an irresponsible daughter.
She struggled terribly, but she pushed through. She enrolled in night classes and found work. They gave her a tiny room in student digs. I had to grow up fastdoing the shopping, scrubbing floors, reheating meals. No time for toys; from as far back as I remember, I was busy helping Mum.
I never complained. I was the man of the house, even if I was just a boy.
After a while, Mum started seeing Daniel. I liked him straight offhe brought sweets and groceries. Mum was happy. One day, she told me theyd marry and wed move to a proper house. I was thrilled. I wanted a dad, and I hoped Daniel would be it.
At first, everything was grand. I could finally restlistening to records, reading books. I had my own room. Daniel helped Mum, and she glowed.
Months later, she told me Id have a brother or sister. Soon after, Daniel said Id have to move into a cramped little box roomformerly a storage spacebecause my bedroom would be the babys. I didnt get why it had to be mine when there were other rooms free.
The next day, all my things were shoved into the new room. It wasnt fair, but I kept quiet.
When Oliver was born, my nights turned to chaos. He wailed nonstop, and at school, I started slipping. Teachers scolded me; Mum snapped.
*»You should be setting an example! Instead, youre just a lazy disgrace.»*
Oliver grew, and I had to mind himpushing his pram round the estate, face burning as the lads jeered. I couldnt do a thing about it.
Everything good went to Oliver. If I asked for anything, Daniel would say, *»Moneys tight.»* I took him to nursery, fetched him, fed him, scrubbed the house. I just waited for him to grow up.
When Oliver started school, Mum said I had to help with his homework. Spoiled and stubborn, he scraped by no matter how hard I tried. If I told him off, hed whinge to Mum, and shed always take his side.
They bounced him from school to school. Eventually, they stuck him in a posh private place where high marks came with a hefty price tag.
I went to a technical college, picked mechanics. Not my passion, but I needed out.
Later, I got into uni, landed a job. Worked all hours, saving for a flat. Years on, I married.
Oliver got a flat from Daniel but still lives with Mum and him. Wont workjust lives off rent money.
At a New Years dinner, the whole family gathered at Mums. Olivers girlfriend came too. Passing the kitchen, I overheard:
*»Youre lucky with James. Hardworking, dependable. Why cant Oliver be like that? I beg him to settle down, but hes still glued to his mums apron strings. Gets his rent money and does sod all.»*
*»James is wonderful,»* my wife replied. *»Leave Oliver. Hes not worth it. Hell never be a proper husband.»*
And true enough, women kept trying to change Oliver, but he didnt need anyone. Spent whole days sprawled on the sofa, telly blaring. Mum couldnt stand any of his girlfriendsnever good enough for her boy.
Right then, I realisedI was proud. Happy, truly. Life paid me back for every rough patch. Now Ive got a lovely family, a wife who adores me, a brilliant daughter, a home of my ownall earned through my own graft.
