**Not His Problem**
Tell Jeremy to come over right now! Emilys voice trembled on the phone. All three kids are running fevers and fussing. I cant get them to the doctors on my ownhe needs to drive us!
Margaret nodded, though Emily couldnt see it. Her stomach twisted with worry for her grandchildren.
Ill sort it out, love. Dont panic, Margaret said, keeping her tone steady to avoid upsetting her daughter further.
She ended the call and hesitated, fingers fumbling through her contacts for Jeremys number. Three sick children, Emily alone, her husband at workthis was a proper crisis.
Jeremy would help. She was certain of it
One ring. Two. Finally, he answered.
Mum, hi, Jeremy said, sounding rushed.
Jeremy, darling, theres a bit of an emergency Margaret searched for the right words. Emily just rang. All three kids are poorly and need to see the doctor. Her husband cant leave work. Could you pop over and give her a lift? It wont take long.
Silence. She could hear him breathing, some indistinct chatter in the background.
Mum, I cant today, he sighed. Its Hannahs birthday. We booked this restaurant weeks ago. If I drive all the way to Emilys now, well hit traffic, miss the reservation Sorry, but Im out.
Margaret gripped the phone tighter. Her palm was sweating. Was he seriously refusing?
Jeremy, are you listening? The children are ill! Your nieces and nephew! She fought to keep from shouting. Emily cant handle three cranky toddlers alone. They need a doctor!
Mum, I get it, Jeremy said flatly. But weve got plans. We cant cancel last minute. She can call a cab. Or you and Dad can help. Whats the big deal?
Margaret sank onto a chair, legs weak. She couldnt believe what she was hearing.
Your fathers at work! I cant wrangle three sick kids alone! Are you really this thick?
I said no. Sorry, Jeremy snapped. Not my problem. The kids are Emilys responsibility. She can sort it out.
Margaret gasped. Did he just say that?
How is it not your problem?! she shrieked. Shes your sister! Your family! Cant you help just once?
Ive told youI cant. Weve got to get ready. Bye. The line went dead.
The dial tone grated in her ear. Margaret stared at her phone, numb. Her hands shook. She redialled. No answer. Again. Silence.
Something hot and furious bubbled inside her. How dare he? She called Hannah instead. Maybe shed talk some sense into him.
Hello, Margaret? Hannah answered smoothly.
Hannah, love, Margaret said, forcing calm. Could you ask Jeremy to help? These are his nieces and nephew! Theyre sick! Emilys drowning! You understand, dont you?
Hannah exhaled. Her voice was cool, detached.
Margaret, parents need to handle their own childrens problems. There are taxis, ambulances. Theyre not babies. Emilys a grown womanshell manage.
Margaret froze. That stung worse than Jeremys refusal.
Hannah, have you ever tried bundling three feverish toddlers into a cab?! Margarets voice cracked. Theyre tiny! She cant do it alone!
Theyre her children, Margaret, Hannah said, unfazed. We planned this evening ages ago. Were not ruining it over someone elses drama.
Shock gave way to white-hot rage.
Then dont come crying to us when youve got kids of your own! Margaret spat before slamming the phone down.
The next few days passed in a blur. Margaret didnt call Jeremy. He didnt call her. She tried not to dwell on it, but the hurt gnawed at her, keeping her awake at night.
That wretched conversation replayed in her head. Where had she gone wrong raising him? How had she raised someone so selfish?
Her husband tried to talk about it, but she brushed him off. She needed to figure this out herself.
By the fourth evening, shed had enough. She marched to Jeremys flat. They needed to talkface to face. She had to understand how he could abandon his own family.
Hannah opened the door, eyebrows lifting in surprise, but she stepped aside without a word. Margaret stormed in, still in her coat.
Wheres Jeremy? she demanded.
In the lounge, Hannah said, nodding toward the door.
Margaret flung it open. Jeremy looked up, and for a second, something flickered in his eyesthen vanished. His expression went blank.
Mum? Whats wrong?
How could you?! Margaret shouted. Jeremy flinched. Everything shed bottled up burst out. How could you ignore sick children? Your sister?! I didnt raise you to be this heartless!
Jeremy stood slowly, face unreadable. The indifference only made it worse.
Mum, you couldve called a taxi. Gone over yourself. Im not dropping everything every time she snaps her fingers.
He paused, meeting her gaze.
Or have you forgotten how Emily cut us off? he continued. The things shes been saying? Ever since we bought this flat. No calls, no visitssix months of radio silence, and suddenly she needs a favour?
Margaret faltered. Words failed her.
Thats thats just She fumbled. Emilys renting with three kids! You and Hannah own a two-bed, no children. Of course shes a bit jealous! Butwhat do you mean, whats she been saying?
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. Hannah leaned in the doorway, arms crossed.
Plenty. Slagging off Hannah, telling everyone Im awful. And the flat? Not her business, Jeremy said coldly. We worked for this. No handouts. She can sort her own messesnot drag my family into it through you.
Margaret stepped closer, fists clenched.
What nonsense are you spouting?! Shes your sister! Your blood!
No, Mum, Jeremy raised his voice. My family is Hannah. Emily shouldve thought before having three kids. Im not her backup plan!
Margaret winced.
You selfish boy! she cried. Your sisters struggling, and you cant lift a finger?
Help? Jeremy scoffed. Why should I help someone whos ignored me for half a year? Were done with Emily. How didnt you notice?
He took a breath, quieter now.
But whats the point? Youve always been Team Emily. Im just an afterthought.
You heartlessHow can you say that?! Margaret turned away. She couldnt look at him. I raised you better than this!
She stormed out. On the pavement, she caught her breath, chest burning. The cold air bit her cheeks, but it didnt help.
As she walked, one thought pounded in her skull: Where had she gone wrong?
But deeper down, in a corner shed ignored, something uneasy stirred. Jeremys words about Emily. About the flat, the silence, the gossip. About his own family. About her always putting Emily first.
Margaret stopped mid-step. Pedestrians swerved around her.
What if he was right?
No. She shook her head sharply. Impossible. She was the mother. She knew best.
But the doubt was there now, small and sharp, growing with every step.
On the bus, she stared blankly out the window. Life carried on outside, but inside, something had broken.
She didnt know if she could fix it. If theyd ever talk properly again. If she could forgive himor if hed forgive her blindness.
The bus jolted over potholes. Margaret closed her eyes. Maybe tomorrow would bring clarity. Maybe shed find the right words. Maybe theyd be a family again.
Or maybe it was already too late.
