**Not His Problem**
«Tell Jeremy to come right away!» Her daughter’s voice trembled, words spilling out between gasps. «All three little ones are feverish and fussy. I cant get them to the clinic alone. He needs to drive us!»
Eleanor nodded, though Margaret couldnt see it. Inside, her stomach twisted with worry for her grandchildren.
«Ill sort it, love. Dont fret,» Eleanor said, forcing calm into her voice, not wanting to upset her daughter further.
The call ended. Her fingers shook as she scrolled for Jeremys number. Three sick children, Margaret alone, her husband at work. A crisis.
Jeremy would help. She was sure of it.
First ring. Second. Finally, he answered.
«Mum, hi,» he said briskly.
«Jeremy, darling, its urgent» Eleanor searched for the right words. «Margaret just rang. All three children are ill, they need to see a doctor. Her husband cant leave work. Could you drive them? It wont take long.»
Silence stretched on the other end. She heard his breath, background noiselaughter, clinking glasses.
«Cant today, Mum,» Jeremy sighed. «Its Emilys birthday. We booked the restaurant weeks ago. Margarets clear across town, traffics a nightmare. Well lose the reservation. So, no. Not happening.»
Her grip tightened on the phone. Her palm was slick. Was he really refusing?
«Jeremy, listen! The children are sick! Your nieces and nephew!» She bit back a shout. «Margaret cant handle three poorly toddlers alone. They need a doctor!»
«Mum, I get it,» he said flatly. «But weve got plans. We cant drop everything. Call a taxi. Or you and Dad help. Whats the issue?»
Eleanor sank into a chair. Her legs gave out. She couldnt believe what she was hearing.
«Dads at work! I cant manage three sick children alone! Are you even listening?»
«Cant do it. Sorry,» Jeremy snapped. «Not my problem. Margarets kids, her responsibility.»
Her breath hitched. How could he say that?
«Not your problem?! Theyre your family! Your sister! Cant you help just once?»
«I said no. Were leaving soon. Bye.» The line went dead.
The dial tone cut like glass. She stared at the screen, numb. Hands trembling, she redialed. Silence. Again. Nothing.
Something hot and sharp rose in her chest. How dare he? She called Emily. Maybe she could talk sense into him.
«Eleanor?» Emily answered, voice cool.
«Emily, darling,» Eleanor fought to keep steady. «Cant you ask Jeremy to help? His nieces and nephew are ill! Margarets struggling! You understand, dont you?»
A sigh. Emilys tone was detached.
«Eleanor, parents deal with their own children. Theres taxis, ambulances. Theyre not babies. Margarets a grown woman. Shell manage.»
Eleanor froze. The words burned worse than Jeremys refusal.
«Emily, do you have any idea what its like hauling three sick toddlers in a cab?! Theyre tiny! She cant do it alone!»
«Her children, Eleanor,» Emily said, indifferent. «We planned this night ages ago. Were not ruining it over someone elses mess.»
Shock gave way to furywhite-hot and razor-sharp.
«Then dont come crying when you need help with your own!» Eleanor hissed and slammed the phone down.
The days blurred. Eleanor didnt call Jeremy. He didnt call her. She tried not to dwell on it, but the hurt gnawed at her, relentless.
Nights were worse. She lay awake, replaying that awful conversation. How could he do this? Where had she gone wrong? Raised him to be so cold?
Her husband tried to talk about it. She brushed him off. She needed to figure it out herself. Understand where it all broke.
By the fourth evening, something snapped. She drove to Jeremys flat. They needed to talk face to face. Ask how he could betray his own blood.
Emily opened the door, eyebrows lifting, but she stepped aside. Eleanor strode in, still in her coat.
«Wheres Jeremy?»
«In there.» Emily nodded to the bedroom.
Eleanor flung the door open. Jeremy looked up. For a second, his face flickeredsomething unreadable. Then, nothing.
«Mum? Whats wrong?»
«How could you?!» The words tore out of her, loud enough to make him flinch. Everything shed bottled up for days erupted. «You turned your back on sick children! Your sister! I didnt raise you to be selfish! To be this heartless!»
Jeremy stood slowly. His expression stayed blank. The indifference made her fists clench.
«Mum, you couldve called a taxi. Gone yourself. Im not dropping everything every time she snaps her fingers.»
He paused. Met her eyes.
«Or did you forget how Margaret cut us off? The things shes said?» His voice hardened. «Ever since we bought the flat. No idea why shes offended, but she wont answer calls, turns her nose up in the street. Six months of this, and now she needs help?»
Eleanor faltered. Words stuck in her throat. She opened her mouth. Shut it.
«Thatsthats just» She fumbled. «Margarets renting with three kids. You and Emily own a two-bed, no children. Of course shes bitter! And the ignoringI didnt know. Whats she been saying?»
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. Emily leaned in the doorway, arms crossed.
«Plenty. About me, about Emily. And the flat? None of her business.» His voice was ice. «We earned this place. No handouts. She can sort her own problems. Not drag my family into it through you.»
Eleanor stepped closer. Her nails dug into her palms.
«What rubbish! Shes your sister! Your family!»
«No, Mum.» His voice rose. «Emilys my family. Margaret shouldve thought before having three kids. Not my job to fix her mess!»
She winced.
«Youre selfish! Only care about yourself! Your sisters drowning, and you wont lift a finger!»
«Help?» He scoffed. «Why would I help someone who hasnt spoken to me in half a year? Were done, Mum. How didnt you notice?»
He exhaled. Continued quieter:
«But why am I surprised? Youve only ever cared about Margaret. Ive always been an afterthought.»
«Youre heartless! How can you say that?» She spun around. Couldnt look at him. «I didnt raise you like this, Jeremy! I taught you to help each other!»
She stormed out. On the landing, she stopped. Her chest heaved. Everything burned. How could he speak to her like that?
Cold air stung her cheeks outside. It didnt help. She walked to the bus stop, one thought pounding: Where had she failed? How had she raised someone so selfish? Why didnt he understandfamily helps family?
But deep down, in a place she didnt want to acknowledge, something uneasy stirred. Jeremys words about Margaret. How shed cut ties after the flat. The things shed said. That he had his own family now. That Eleanor had never really seen him.
She halted on the pavement. Pedestrians swerved around her.
What if Jeremy was right? What if shed pushed too hard, blind to his side?
No. She shook her head sharply. Unthinkable. She was the mother. She knew best. Always had.
But the doubt was there. Small, sharp, growing with every step.
On the bus, she stared out the window. Houses, people, carslife moving on. Inside, something had shattered. Something irreversible.
She didnt know if she could fix it. If theyd ever talk the same way again. If she could forgive his refusal. If he could forgive her blindness.
The bus jolted over potholes. She closed her eyes. Maybe tomorrow would make sense. Maybe the right words would come. Maybe family would still mean something.
Or maybe it was already too late.
