Mom, could you watch Max for me today? Katie asked, her voice tired as a rainy Thursday. Ive got to pop into the office they need some documents urgently.
Olivia flipped through her diary. Katie, Ive got a meeting with the editor at seven this evening, she replied. Im sorry, I cant.
Come on, Mum, youre always busy when I ask! Hes your grandson, isnt he? Work must be more important than family, Katie whined.
Olivia pressed her lips together. Guilttrip, again. Classic manipulation.
Kid, I told you it was foolish to have a baby with a bloke you barely knew, Olivia said, trying to keep the tone even. You didnt listen. Its your choice, your responsibility.
Right, Katie snapped coldly. So you couldnt care a whit about me or the child. Thanks for the support then.
She hung up.
Olivia had just turned fiftytwo. At last she felt she could actually breathe. A divorce had turned her world upside down years ago, and for fifteen years shed juggled two girls, two jobs, and a complete lack of metime. Five years earlier Michael, a steady, reliable man, had walked into her life, accepting all her baggage without demanding the impossible.
The girls grew up, got degrees. With Michael, Olivia bought Katie a onebed flat, and Lily a studio in a new development. Olivia finally landed a respectable post at a London publishing house, enrolled in Italian lessons, and started squirrelling pounds for a dream holiday to Italy.
But at twentythree Katie had married the first lad shed ever liked. Six months later she gave birth. Olivia had warned her against rushing, but Katie ignored the advice. Now her husband turned out to be an unreliable chap, working offandon, bringing home money only when luck smiled. Katie was torn between a newborn and odd jobs, trying desperately to make ends meet. Since then Olivias phone has been a constant chorus of Katies calls.
Olivia rested her forehead against the cool kitchen window. She was sick of the endless demand to sacrifice herself. Katie began dropping hints about moving back with her parents it would be easier for everyone, especially with the baby. Olivia refused, explaining she had her own life, work, and plans. Katie sulked, sobbing into the handset about her wasted youth.
A week later, an even more spectacular piece of news arrived.
Lily, fresh out of university at twenty, announced she was pregnant. The father? A lad shed only been seeing for three months. He worked as a courier, rented a room in a student hall, and had no clear prospects. Lily burst into the living room, beaming, expecting praise.
Mum, can you believe it? Vince and I are going to be parents! she chirped, flopping onto the sofa. Were having a little one! Isnt that wonderful?
Olivia stared at her daughter, irritation building. Same old story as with Katie.
Lily, have you and Vince thought about how youll raise the child? Olivia asked calmly. Where will you live? In a studio with a baby? What will you buy for the little thing?
Lily shuffled her cardigan nervously.
Well, Vince still has the spare room Well figure something out. Mum, youll help us, wont you? Well need your support.
Olivia set her tea cup down a touch harder than intended.
No, Lily. You have the right to have a baby, Im not opposed to that. But Im not going to fund a young family. The flats already yours; Ive given you everything I could. Now youll have to manage on your own.
Lily sprang up, tears brimming.
How can you say that? Youre heartless! Im your daughter! The child will be your grandson!
Im telling you the truth, Olivia replied. Youre both adults. Youve finished university, Vince has a job. If youve decided to have a child, you must take responsibility yourselves. Ive done my part. I have my own life, my own plans.
What plans? Nothing is more important than family! What plans could you possibly have when your daughters are in trouble? Lily shrieked, grabbing her bag. Katies right. Youre selfish!
Katie bolted out of the flat. Olivia was left standing in the lounge, eyes shut against the onslaught of accusations. The family group chat erupted with charges of selfishness and coldness. Katie typed long messages about how hard it was for her and how a mother should help that was sacred. Lily echoed, saying she never imagined her mum could be so indifferent to her own children.
Michael held Olivias hand in the evenings, trying to soothe her as best he could, but the pressure kept mounting. Katie started dropping by with the baby unannounced, pushing the pram through the hallway and leaving a quick note: Mum, Ill be back in a couple of hours look after Max.
Olivia tried to protest, but Katie was already sprinting down the stairs. Michael frowned but stayed silent. Lily called, tears streaming, begging for moral support, complaining that Vince didnt understand, that they were broke, that she didnt know what to do.
Olivia felt cornered. Her daughters kept demanding, demanding, demanding, as if she were an endless well of cash and childcare.
Saturday evening was quiet. Olivia and Michael had planned a cosy night in a film and a chat about the Italian trip. Then there was a knock, sharp and insistent.
Michael opened the door. Standing there was Katie, lugging two suitcases and cradling Max. Behind her, Lily shuffled in, eyes red from crying.
Mum, were moving in with you temporarily, Katie announced, dumping her bags in the hallway. Serge will bring the rest of our stuff later. Well let go of our flat and rent it out, so we have extra money. That way I can spend more time with Max while I work!
What? Olivia froze in the doorway. Katie, what are you talking about? We never agreed to this.
Whats there to discuss? Youre my mother, youre supposed to help. Who else will?
Lily slipped in behind her.
Mum, I need money for a cot, she sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve. We have nothing. Vince barely earns, I cant stay on maternity leave forever I need to work.
Something inside Olivia snapped. All the fatigue, irritation, and hurt of the past months burst forth.
No, she said sharply, stepping forward. Katie, turn around and go home. Lily, there will be no money. Thats it.
Both girls froze, staring at their mother.
Youve got to be kidding me? Katie asked, rocking Max, who was now whimpering. Are you serious?
Absolutely, Olivia crossed her arms. I raised you, gave you education, bought you flats. Now spread your wings and build your own nests. Dont hang my name on a sign with your children on it.
How can you say that? Lily shrieked. Were your daughters! Your blood!
I can because Im telling the truth. Youre adults. You chose who to tie your life to and when to have children. I warned you, I gave advice. You didnt listen. This is your responsibility, not mine.
Katie shifted Max to her other arm, looking bewildered and angry.
Youre kicking me out? Really? Throwing my child out on the street?
Im not throwing you out. You have a house, Olivia replied, unflinching. And you have a husband, Katie. Sort your own mess.
Youre a heartless selfish witch! Lily roared, stamping her foot. You only think about your Italy holiday!
Yes, Im thinking about Italy, Olivia said placidly. My plans, my life. I spent twenty years living for you lot. What more do you want? To have me babysit till the end of my days?
The sisters exchanged glances. Katie grabbed her suitcase, turned, and headed for the door. Lily followed. Olivia heard their footsteps thudding down the stairs, their voices muffled but unmistakably bitter.
For a week there was radio silence no calls, no texts. Michael told Olivia shed done the right thing. Yet a knot of anxiety twisted inside her. Had she been too harsh?
Later she learned that Katie had indeed handed over her flat. She and her husband moved into his parents cramped twobedroom, where she was bombarded with chores and nagged for every little mistake. Her motherinlaw raised Max as she saw fit, while the fatherinlaw grumbled that the younger generation was lazy.
Lilys story arrived via a neighbour. Shed been seen sobbing on a bench outside the block. Vince, terrified of responsibility, had packed his bag and vanished. Lily was left alone, pregnant, penniless.
Olivia stood at the kitchen sink, mulling over the news, torn between pity and a firm resolve not to intervene. Shed given them a solid start a roof, education, love. How they used it was no longer her business.
The girls started calling again. Katie complained about the inlaws, sobbing about how she could no longer take it. Lily wailed that she was utterly alone, unable to cope. Olivia listened, sympathised, but offered only advice.
But the daughters wanted more than advice. They wanted Olivia to solve everything a place to live, cash on tap. Olivia declined each time.
With Michael, she finally booked tickets for a threeweek Italian getaway the longawaited escape that had been postponed countless times. Before leaving, she phoned the girls.
What? Are you serious? Katie asked, bewildered. What about us?
Youre grown-ups. Youll manage, Olivia said, eyeing the suitcase by the door. When you learn to fix your own problems and stop treating me as a freestanding nanny and ATM, Ill be happy to chat as equals. Until then, grow up.
Youre abandoning us? Katie whispered into the handset. What are we supposed to do?
Im not abandoning you. You have the right to make mistakes. I have the right not to foot the bill for them, Olivia replied, pulling her coat from the hook. Ill always be your mother, but Im not obliged to sacrifice myself for adult childrens illthoughtout decisions.
Michael waited by the car. Olivia slipped downstairs, settled into the passenger seat, and exhaled a full, liberating breath. She had finally decided she would no longer be haunted by guilt. Shed given her children a good launchpad a roof, schooling, love. Shed offered counsel, though it fell on deaf ears. Her mission was complete. Time to think about herself.
She imagined strolling through Romes cobbled lanes, admiring Florences galleries, drifting along Venices canals. Freedom, finally, that shed earned. And everything felt just right.
