Mum, I never hired you as a maid.
Darling, weve got a problem. The landlady wants us out of the flat immediately. Clear out as much space as you can in my room. Well be there this evening, the whole family. Lucy heard these words crackle through the receiver when she answered her sons earlymorning call.
Thats a shock Lucy stammered. Ive read that in winter you cant be evicted from a rented flat without a proper tenancy agreement. They should at least give us time to find somewhere else. Her mind tangled in surprise.
They wont give us any time Natalie argued with the landlady yesterday, and thats why shes furious now. Alex replied, irritated.
Ah, now it makes sense. Natalie needs to keep her tongue in check and show a bit of respect to people. Lucy observed dryly.
Oh, Mum, dont start! Im already in a sour mood. I told you to sort the room; well be home with our stuff tonight. Alex growled, slamming the handset down.
A short, buzzing tone lingered on the line, and Lucy sank onto the floor, bewildered. Yesterday at the office had been a nightmare: two new hires arrived, her manager demanded she show them everything, she had to finish two reports for senior management, and a mountain of other tasks. By evening she didnt arrive home, she crawled back to her tiny twobedroom flat.
She had grand plans for the weekend. Saturday was meant for a long liein, an evening stroll in the park, and Sunday for meeting her friend and windowshopping. And now?
How could four people possibly fit into her cramped tworoom flat herself, her son, his wife, and her sevenyearold grandson Tommy? The lofty weekend scheme crumbled to dust. She now had to clear Alexs former bedroom, shuffle a few belongings, then trot to the supermarket and cook dinner before dark.
This prospect filled Lucy with dread. It wasnt that she disliked her son or grandson; it was the strained relationship with Natalie, which was, to put it mildly, taut. She didnt want to clash again. Lucy always tried to be courteous to Natalie so as not to hurt Alex or spark the frequent family flareups.
Despite the ruined plans and sour mood, Lucy set to work cleaning. She later went to the shop, prepared the meal, and by evening everything was ready. Of course, when Alex arrived with his family, the flat turned noisy and cheerful. Lucy slipped away to her room early. Alex and Natalie lingered at the table while Tommy watched cartoons.
Have a good night, then. Youll clear the table yourselves, right, Nat? Lucy said, retreating from the kitchen.
Yeah. Natalie muttered without looking up from her phone.
Through the haze of sleep Lucy heard laughter and footsteps but paid them no mind. She truly believed the family would stay only briefly, just to settle somewhere else for a night. Yet it was Natalies own hand that had stirred the trouble. Lucy had often told her daughterinlaw that people must learn to negotiate and show respect, but Natalie either brushed her off or launched an even bigger scene.
The next morning the alarm jolted Lucy awake. She shuffled into the kitchen and froze. Cups with halfdrunk tea, a pile of candy wrappers, and apple cores littered the table. In the sink waited a mountain of unwashed dishes.
Mum, whats for breakfast? a sleepy Alex emerged, rubbing his eyes as Lucy hurried to tidy the remnants of yesterdays dinner.
Make some toast and brew a cuppa. I only have coffee for breakfast. she replied.
Mum, Im stuck in traffic; a few slices of toast wont keep me alive. he complained.
Then blame the wife. She should stop lingering in the bathroom for forty minutes and actually make you breakfast. I never signed up as your servant, yet Im late for work because Im washing dishes for you. You didnt even bother to tidy up yesterday. Lucy finished, just as Natalie drifted into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
I knew it, Lucy Thompson, its half past seven and youre already grousing.
Im not grousing, Natalie, Im talking to Alex. Maybe you could make him breakfast. I cant keep washing dishes and cooking forever. Please, take care of yourselves.
Yeah. Natalie replied, still glued to her phone.
The following five days passed in a tense, electric atmosphere. Lucy held herself together as best she could, hoping Alex would settle the housing mess within a week so she could return to a normal life.
Friday night brought no movement from the relatives. Lucy guessed Alex simply didnt want to involve her in his affairs. Saturday morning found Alex and Natalie sleeping like the dead. By lunchtime Alex finally emerged from his room, and Lucy realised there was no plan to move out at all.
On Sunday Lucy asked him straight out:
Alex, have you found a flat?
Ive been looking. Everythings either pricey or too far. Well probably stay with you another week.
Well, stay then she answered, resigned.
She couldnt throw her son and his family out onto the street, so she endured another week. Anything was better than another argument.
But no miracle occurred. The family didnt leave after a week or two; on the contrary, they seemed to be making themselves at home, oblivious to any search for a new place.
Natalie hardly lifted a finger at home. She dumped dirty crockery into the sink and collapsed onto the sofa, tossed clothes into a basket, and left Lucy to wash, iron, cook, and clean all weekend.
Natalie, Im heading to the shop; could you please mop the floor?
Lucy Thompson, youre the one in charge here. Ill do something later maybe tomorrow.
Lucy, Im the one living here too, you know.
Whats your problem?! Ive got a headache!
Thats outrageous!
Exactly! You caused this!
Lucy stopped feeding the fire. She went to the shop, did a wet clean, poured herself a tea, and lay down for a spell.
A sudden, relentless thump woke her: Tommy was bouncing a ball indoors.
Tommy, you should play with the ball outside, not in the flat. Its evening, the neighbours can hear.
But Grandma Mom and Dad wont take me out. Im playing inside.
Stop it. Lucy ordered.
Alex popped his head out of his room.
Alex, tell Tommy to quit.
Mum, he always plays inside Alex began, but Natalie cut him off.
Exactly! Youve been picking on me all morning, now youre going after the kid. What do you want, to kick us out?
Natalie, if you wont respect my house rules, perhaps you should find somewhere else to live.
A charged silence hung in the air.
Thanks! Youre throwing us out! By the way, Im pregnant, and I cant be stressed! Natalie shrieked and fled to her room.
Mum, shes really pregnant and youre yelling
Son, first I didnt know, second Im not asking for miracles. I just want my own home.
That evening Natalie packed her bags, announced that she and Tommy would move to the neighbouring town to stay with her parents while Alex searched for a flat.
Lucy felt a hollow ache. She tried to reason with Natalie, but the daughterinlaw swelled with pride and refused any compromise, crying theatrically, stuffing her suitcase, and ignoring every plea.
Three days later Alex finally secured a flat and moved his family out of his mothers house. Lucy gave the flat a thorough spring clean, took a weeks holiday, and life slipped back into its ordinary rhythm, though a sour aftertaste lingered.
Communication with Alex became so thin and strained that Lucy learned of her granddaughters birth from acquaintances. It was awkward, the family drama still hovered, but what could she do?
Lucy now lives for herself. Twice a year she retreats to a spa town, sends money to her grandchildren on their birthdays, and receives birthday calls from Alex only over the phone. No spa or personal space can replace the warmth of a close family bond, yet a person can only give happiness to others when they are completely happy themselves. That is Lucys conviction, and she has no regrets about the choices she made. She is ready to reconnect with her grandchildren at any moment, while the decision to open or close that door rests solely with Natalie, and only her conscience will bear the weight of those actions.
