«Because He Takes After You»
Marinas voice trembled with barely suppressed fury. «Three years, Helen Victoria. Three years youve pressured me for a grandson, scolded me for waiting too long. And now, in front of everyone, you dote only on Paul, your daughters son. But my Alexhes your grandson too! Or have you forgotten?»
Helen Victoria adjusted her immaculate updo, her gaze icy with superiority. Behind her, in the living room, childrens laughter and music swirledPauls birthday party in full swing.
«And when you ignore Alex, when you dont give him gifts like you do the other grandson,» Marina pressed on, «he feels it. Hes ten, Helen Victoria. Old enough to know you dont love him.»
Her mother-in-law scoffed, waving a hand as if shooing a fly.
«Youre imagining things, Marina. I treat both grandsons the same. And really, why must you cause a scene now?» Helen Victorias brows arched in indignation. «Its my grandsons birthday, guests are here. Ive no time for your theatrics.»
She turned on her heels and swept back into the party, leaving Marina standing in the hallway. A lump of hurt rose in Marinas throat. She leaned against the wall, steadying herself. To his grandmother, Alex might as well be invisiblea pane of glass to be looked through, past, at someone else.
Taking a deep breath, Marina returned to the celebration. The sight before her twisted her heart tighter. Helen Victoria fawned over Paul, cooing at his every word, ruffling his hair, slipping him sweets. Meanwhile, Alex stood in the corner, shoulders slumped, eyes dark with envy. The longing in his expression was unbearable. Marina wanted to rush over, gather him up, and take him far away.
That evening, after Alex had fallen asleep, Marina sat beside her husband on the sofa.
«Victor, we need to talk about your mother,» she began. «The way she treats Alexits wrong. He understands. Hes hurting.»
Victor rubbed his temples. Marina knew that gesturehe only did it when avoiding an unpleasant topic.
«Youre overthinking it, Marina,» he dismissed. «I was the unfavored child too. My sister always came first. Alex will learn not to expect anything from her. Hell manage. Hes a boy, after all. And she does love himjust differently than she loves Paul.»
Marina stared at him, stunned. How could he say such things so calmly? How could he accept their son being cast aside?
A week later, Helen Victoria dropped by unannounced. Alex was doing homework at the kitchen table when the doorbell rang. At the sight of his grandmother, his face flickered with hopethen dimmed, his gaze dropping.
«Alex, darling, I brought you a treat!» Helen Victoria declared, thrusting a handful of cheap sweets at him. Marina notedthe kind sold in discount stores. For Paul, she always bought expensive chocolates.
«Thank you, Grandma,» Alex murmured, taking them.
Helen Victoria turned to Marina with a triumphant look.
«See? I neglect no one. All this nonsense about favoritismpure imagination.»
Alex lingered awkwardly before mumbling that hed finish his homework and slipping away. Marina knewhed realized his grandmother wouldnt spare him another glance.
Alone in the kitchen, Marina tried once more to bridge the gap. Maybe if she shared Alexs achievements
«Helen Victoria, Alex won a certificate for coming first in the maths Olympiad,» she said, pouring tea. «His teacher says hes exceptionally gifted.»
«Yes, yes, well done,» Helen Victoria nodded absently, then brightened. «But Paul won the district swimming competition last week! First place! His coach says he could go pro.»
«Thats wonderful,» Marina said tightly. «But about Alexhes started drawing too. His art teacher»
«Drawing?» Helen Victoria cut in. «What a waste. Now, sportsthats something! Pauls so strong, so capable. And his English marks! His teacher says hes the brightest in his year.»
Marinas jaw clenched. Paul, Paul, always Paul.
«and just yesterday, Paul fixed his own bicycle! At eight! Skilled hands, just like his grandfather»
Marina slammed her palm on the table. Cups rattled.
«Why, Helen Victoria?» Her voice was a blade. «Why do you treat my son this way? You begged Victor for a grandson! Rushed us!»
Helen Victorias face soured, as if biting into a lemon. Silence stretched before she spoke, grudgingly.
«I wanted my grandson. A proper one. But Alex» She wrinkled her nose. «Hes your spitting image. In every way.»
Marina froze. The absurdity of it choked her.
«Youyou dont love him because he looks like me?»
Helen Victoria nodded, as if explaining the obvious.
«I never approved of Victors choice. But I thoughtfine, at least youd give me a sturdy grandson. Youre healthy enough. But he» She waved a hand. «Your double. Your mannerisms, your face. Even the way he turns his headghastly.»
Marina sat motionless. This couldnt be real.
«Perhaps if you had another?» Helen Victoria mused, oblivious. «Maybe then itd take after our side?»
Marina shot to her feet. The chair crashed behind her. Rage blackened her vision.
«Another? Are you mad? Get out,» she hissed, then louder, «Get out of my house!»
«How dare you!» Helen Victoria spluttered. «This is my sons home!»
«Its ours! And I wont let you poison my child any longer. Leave. Now.»
Marina wrenched the door open, pointing. Helen Victoria, crimson with fury, snatched her bag and stormed out.
«Youll regret this!» she spat.
The slam of the door echoed. Marina pressed her back to the wall, hands over her face, trembling.
That night, when Victor returned, Marina recounted everything. With each word, his face darkened.
«She actually said that? She doesnt love Alex because hes like you? And she wants another?»
Marina nodded. Tears shed held back all day spilled over.
«Victor, how can she hurt a child just for resembling his mother? Its monstrous. Our boys done nothing wrong!»
Victor pulled her close.
«Enough,» he said firmly. «No more visits unless absolutely necessary. Alex comes first.»
Months passed. Life steadied. Thena change. Marinas parents moved to their city, selling their countryside home for a flat nearby.
«We missed you both,» her mother, Valerie, explained. «And you could use the help.»
Grandmother and grandfather lavished Alex with lovetheir only grandson, previously seen too seldom. And Marina watched him bloom. His smile returned, his shoulders straightened. He laughed freely again.
On Alexs birthday, Marina hesitated, then invited Helen Victoria. Victors sisters family wasnt included.
Helen Victoria arrived with a small box. Insidea flimsy plastic car, the sort sold in pound shops.
«Thank you, Grandma,» Alex said politely, then turned away. «Gran, Grandad, can I open yours now?»
Valerie and her husband exchanged a glance, then handed him a large package. Alex tore it opena professional drawing tablet.
«Thank you! Thank you!» He flung his arms around them. «Its the exact one I wanted!»
Helen Victorias lips thinned.
«Ridiculous expense. Youll spoil him.»
Valerie met her gaze calmly.
«Alex wants to be a graphic designer. Hes talented. This will help.»
Alex beamed, kissing his grandparents cheeks.
«I have to try it now! Dad, help me set it up!» He grabbed Victors hand.
«Lead the way, birthday boy!» Victor winked, and they disappeared into Alexs room with Marinas parents.
Marina and Helen Victoria stood alone. The older woman looked stunned.
«Something wrong, Helen Victoria?» Marina asked coolly. «Dont you like seeing my son happy?»
Helen Victoria stiffened.
«Paul won a»
«If youre about to talk of Paul,» Marina interrupted, «you can leave now. This is Alexs day. I wont let you ruin it. Ever again.»
«But Pauls clearly superior!» Helen Victoria blurted. «Stronger, brighter»
Marina strode to the door and flung it open.
«I warned you. Go.»
«You cant»
«I can. This is my home. My sons birthday. Goodbye.»
The door shut in Helen Victorias face. Marina exhaled. No more sacrificing her child for the sake of family peace. Alex mattered more.
From his room, Alexs laughter spilled out, bright and unburdened. Marina smiled and went to join them.
