**Diary Entry 12th May**
All my life, I dreamed of being in my brothers placeuntil everything changed.
Mum fell pregnant with me when she was just nineteen. My father walked out straight away, unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of a family. Hed rather spend his days at the pub with his mates. My grandparents were furious with her, calling her disgraceful for having a child out of wedlock. Granddad kicked her out, saying he wouldnt tolerate an «irresponsible daughter» under his roof.
Mum struggled terribly, but she pushed through. She enrolled in evening classes and found work. We were given a tiny room in student housing. I learned independence earlydoing the shopping, cleaning, and reheating meals. There was no time for games; as far back as I can remember, I was always busy helping Mum.
I never complained. Even as a boy, I knew I was the only man in the family.
Eventually, Mum started seeing Oliver. I liked him straight awayhed bring sweets and groceries, and Mum seemed happier. Then one day, she told me they were getting married and wed move into a proper house. I was over the moon. I wanted a father, and I hoped Oliver would fill that role.
At first, things were good. No more choresI could finally listen to music, read books. I had my own bedroom. Oliver helped Mum, and she was smiling again.
A few months later, Mum announced she was expecting. Soon after, Oliver told me Id have to move into the box rooma cramped space barely bigger than a cupboardbecause the nursery needed my old room. It didnt make sense; there were other spare rooms. But the next day, all my things were moved. It wasnt fair, but I kept quiet.
When Alfie was born, my nights became chaos. His crying kept me up, and my schoolwork suffered. Teachers scolded me, and Mum grew frustrated. *»You should be setting an example! Instead, youre just lazyan embarrassment!»* shed snap whenever my marks slipped.
As Alfie grew, I had to look after himpushing his pram around the estate, face burning with shame as the lads from the neighbourhood teased me.
Everything went to Alfie. If I asked for anything, Oliver would say, *»Not in the budget, mate.»* Id drop Alfie at nursery, pick him up, feed him, cleanjust waiting for him to grow up.
When he started school, Mum told me to help with his homework. Spoiled and stubborn, he barely tried. No matter how much I helped, his grades were poor. If I disciplined him, hed run to Mum, and shed always take his side, scolding me instead.
Alfie was shuffled from school to school before finally landing in a posh private one where high marks came at a steep price.
I went to trade college, studying mechanicsnot my passion, but it got me out of the house. Later, I enrolled in uni, worked nights, saved every penny for a flat of my own. Years later, I married.
Alfie was handed a flat by Oliver, yet he still lives with Mum and Dad. Doesnt workjust lives off the rent.
At a New Years dinner, the whole family gathered. Alfies girlfriend was there too. Passing the kitchen, I overheard her: *»Youre lucky with Danielhardworking, responsible. Why cant Alfie be like that? I want to settle down, but hes still clinging to Mum. Hes got rental money but does nothing.»*
*»Daniels wonderful,»* my wife replied. *»Leave Alfie. Hell never be a proper husband.»*
And she was right. Plenty of women tried changing Alfie, but he doesnt need anyone. Spends all day on the sofa, telly blaring. Mum cant stand his girlfriendsnone are good enough for her boy.
In that moment, I realisedIm proud of myself. Truly happy. Life repaid every hardship. Now Ive got a loving wife, a sweet little girl, a home of my ownall earned through my own sweat and grit.
