Im done lugging all of you around, Emma shouted, freezing the familys debit cards. Not a penny morefeed yourselves however you like!
She pushed open the flats door and instantly heard the low hum of voices drifting from the kitchen. Her husband, Mark, was there with his mother, Eleanor, who had arrived that morning and, as usual, made the kitchen her headquarters.
So whats the deal with the telly? Mark was asking.
Its ancient, Eleanor complained. The pictures terrible, the sound cuts out. It shouldve been replaced ages ago.
Emma slipped off her shoes and stepped into the kitchen. Eleanor sat at the table nursing a mug of tea; Mark was poking at his phone.
Ah, Emmas here, Mark said, brightening. We were just talking about Mums TV.
Whats wrong with it? Emma asked, already weary.
Its practically dead. We need a new one, Eleanor said.
Mark set his phone down and fixed his gaze on Emma. You always sort these things out. Buy Mum a TV. We dont feel like dipping into our own money.
Emma paused, halfway out of her coat. Hed said it as casually as if he were asking her to pick up a loaf of bread.
I dont feel like it either. Do you? she replied evenly.
Well, you have a good job and earn a decent salary, Mark said. My pays modest.
Emma frowned, studying him to see if he was serious. He was. His expression radiated the calm confidence of a man convinced he was right.
Mark, Im not a bank, she said slowly.
Oh, come on, he waved it off. Its just one TV.
Emma pulled out a chair and sat. Her mind replayed the last few months. Who paid the rent? Emma. Who bought groceries? Emma. Who covered the utilities? Emma again. Plus the medication for Eleanors blood pressure and aching joints. And the renovation loan Eleanor had taken outshed stopped paying after three months, and Emma had taken over the instalments.
Remember something? Mark prodded.
I remember whos been paying for everything in this family for the past two years.
Eleanor sighed and inserted herself into the conversation. Emma, youre the lady of the house; the responsibility is yours. Is it really that hard to buy Mum a TV? Its a purchase for the family.
For the family? Emma echoed. Wheres this family whenever theres a bill to pay?
Its not like we do nothing, Mark objected. I work, and Mum helps around the house.
What help? Emma blinked. Eleanor comes over for tea and to list her ailments.
The motherinlaw bristled. What do you mean just to talk? I give you advice on how to run a family properly.
Advice on how Im supposed to support everyone?
Well, who else would? Mark asked, genuinely puzzled. Youve got steady work and a good income.
Emma studied him. He truly believed it was normal for his wife to carry the entire household on her back.
And what do you do with your paycheck? she asked.
I save it, Mark said. For a rainy day.
For what kind of rainy day?
You never knowcrisis, layoffs. You need a safety cushion.
And wheres my safety cushion?
You have a reliable job; they wont fire you.
Maybe its time you and your mother decide for yourselves what to buyand with what money, Emma said calmly.
Mark smirked. Why talk like that? You manage money so well. We already try not to burden you with extras.
Not burden me? Heat rose in Emmas cheeks. Mark, do you actually think youre not a burden?
Its not like we ask for something every day, Eleanor jumped in. Only when its truly necessary.
Is a TV truly necessary?
Of course! How can you live without one? The news, the programmes.
You can watch everything online.
I dont understand the internet, Eleanor cut her off. I need a proper TV.
The conversation looped. To both Mark and his mother, it seemed selfevident that Emma must bankroll everything, while they pinched every last penny for themselves.
All right, Emma said. How much is this TV you want?
You can get a good one for four hundred pounds, Mark brightened. A big screen with internet.
Four hundred pounds, Emma repeated. Yeah, thats not much.
Mark, do you know how much I pour into our family each month?
Well a lot, I guess.
About seven hundred pounds. Rent, groceries, utilities, your mothers medication, and her loan.
Mark shrugged. Its family. Thats normal.
And how much do you contribute?
Well sometimes I buy milk. Bread.
Mark, you spend at most five hundred pounds a month on the household, Emma said, doing the math. And not even every month.
But Im saving for a rainy day.
Whose rainy day? Yours?
Ours, of course.
Then why is the money in your personal account and not in a joint one?
Mark said nothing. Eleanor fell silent too.
Emma, youre speaking out of turn, the motherinlaw finally ventured. My son provides for the family.
With what? Emma asked, genuinely baffled. Eleanor, the last time Mark bought groceries was six months agoand only because I was ill and asked him.
But he works!
And I work. Except my salary goes to everyone, while his goes only to himself.
Thats how its done, Mark said, less sure now. The woman manages the household.
Managing the household doesnt mean carrying everyone, Emma shot back.
So what do you suggest? Eleanor asked.
I suggest everyone carry their own weight.
How is that supposed to be family? the motherinlaw cried.
What about family? Family means everyone contributes, not one person dragging the rest.
Mark stared at her, bewildered. Emma, thats a strange way to think. Were husband and wifewe have a joint budget.
Joint? Emma laughed once. A joint budget is when both people put money into one pot and spend it together. What do we have? I put money in, and you hoard yours.
Not hoardIm saving.
For yourself. Because when moneys needed, youll spend yours on your own needs, not shared ones.
How do you know?
I just do. Right now your mother wants a TV. Youve got four hundred saved. Will you buy it for her?
Mark hesitated. Well thats my savings.
Exactly. Yours.
Eleanor tried to steer the conversation. Emma, you shouldnt address your husband like that. A man should feel like the head of the family.
And the head of the family should support the familynot live off his wife.
Mark does not live off you! she protested.
He does. For two years Ive paid the rent, food, utilities, your medication, and your loan. Mark has been stockpiling money for his personal needs.
Its only temporary, Mark said defensively. Theres a crisistimes are tough.
Mark, weve been in a crisis for three years. And every month you shift more onto me.
Im not shifting; Im asking for help.
Help? Emma gave a short laugh. Have you paid the rent even once in the last six months?
No, but
Did you buy groceries?
Sometimes.
Mark, buying milk once a month doesnt count.
Well, all right, I didnt. But I work and bring money into the family.
You bring it inand immediately stash it in your personal account.
Im not hiding it; Im saving it for the future.
For your future.
Eleanor leapt back in. Emma, whats gotten into you? You never used to complain.
I used to think it was temporary. That my husband would soon start carrying his share of the family expenses.
And now?
Now I see Ive been treated like a cash cow.
How can you say that! Mark burst out.
What else do you call it when one person bankrolls everyone and they still expect gifts?
What gifts? A TV is something Mum needs!
Mark, if your mother needs a TV, she can buy it. Or you can buy itfrom your savings.
But her pension is tiny!
And my salarydoes it stretch like rubber?
Well, you can afford it.
I can. I also dont want to.
Silence fell. Mark and his mother exchanged a look.
What do you mean, you dont want to? Mark asked, voice low.
I mean Im done being the only one supporting the entire family.
But were a family; were supposed to help each other.
Exactlyeach other. Not one person propping up everyone else.
Emma rose from the table. It hit her how they saw her: a card that should spit out cash on demand.
Where are you going? Mark asked.
To take care of things.
Without another word, Emma pulled out her phone and opened her banking app at the table. Her fingers flewshe blocked the joint debit card Mark used. Then she switched to transfers and began moving all her savings to a new account shed opened a month ago, just in case.
What are you doing? Mark asked, suddenly cautious.
Handling my finances, Emma said crisply.
He tried to glance at her screen, but she tilted it away. Five minutes later, every pound had been moved to her personal accountone neither her husband nor his mother could touch.
Emma, whats happening? Mark asked, alarmed.
What should have happened long ago.
She opened the card settings and revoked all access but her own. Mark stared, stunned, not yet grasping the scale of what shed done.
Sensing danger, Eleanor leapt up.
What have you done? Well be left without money!
Youll be left with the money you earn, Emma replied evenly.
What do you mean, we earn? What about family? What about a joint budget? the motherinlaw shrieked.
Eleanor, we never had a joint budget. There was my budgetand everyone fed off it.
Youre out of your mind! the older woman shouted. Were a family!
Emmas voice stayed steady.
From today, we live separately. Im not obliged to fund your whims.
What whims? Mark protested. These are necessities!
A fourhundredpound TV is a necessity?
For Mumyes!
Then Mum can buy it with her pension. Or you can use your savings.
Eleanor rushed to her son.
Why are you standing there? Put her in her place! Shes your wife!
Mark muttered something, eyes fixed on the table, avoiding Emmas gaze. He knew she was right but wouldnt say it.
Mark, Emma said quietly, do you honestly think I should support your entire family?
Well were husband and wife.
Husband and wife means partnership. Not one person carrying the rest.
But my salary is smaller!
Your salary is smaller, but your savings are biggerbecause you spend them only on yourself.
Mark fell silent again. Seeing her son wouldnt push, Eleanor lunged forward herself.
Emma, return the money at once! Im running out of medicine!
Buy it with your own money.
My pension is small!
Ask your son. He has savings.
Mark, give me money for medicine! she demanded.
Her son hesitated. Mum, Im saving that for the family.
I am the family! she snapped.
But those are my savings.
You see? Emma said. When its time to spend, everyones money magically becomes personal.
Realising how serious this was, Eleanor changed tack.
Emma, lets talk calmly. Youre a kind woman; youve always helped.
I helpeduntil I realized I was being used.
Youre not being usedyoure appreciated!
Appreciated for whatpaying every bill?
For supporting the family.
Im not supporting a family. Im supporting two ablebodied adults who can work and earn.
The next morning Emma went to the bank and opened a separate account in her name. She printed statements for the past two years showing where the money had gone: groceries, rent, utilities, medicine, and Eleanors loan. It was all on Emma.
When she got home, she pulled out a large suitcase and began packing Marks thingsshirts, trousers, socksfolding everything neatly.
What are you doing? Mark asked when he came home from work.
Packing your things.
Why?
Because you dont live here anymore.
What do you mean I dont? This is my flat too!
The flat is in my name. I decide who lives here.
But were husband and wife!
For now, yes. Not for long.
Emma rolled the suitcase into the hall and held out her palm.
The keys.
What keys?
To the flat. All sets.
Emma, are you serious?
Absolutely.
Reluctantly, Mark handed them over. Emma checkedmain set and spare.
Does your mother have a set?
Yes, she drops by sometimes.
Call her. Tell her to return them.
Why?
Because Eleanor no longer has the right to enter my home.
An hour later Eleanor arrived. She understood immediately when she saw the suitcase in the hallway.
What does this mean? she demanded.
It means your son is moving out.
Moving where? This is his home!
This is my home. And Im done supporting freeloaders.
How dare you! Eleanor exploded.
I dare. Hand over the keys.
What keys?
To the flat. I know you have a duplicate.
I wont give them back!
Then Ill call the police.
She raised a fullblown ruckusscreaming that Emma was tearing the family apart, that you dont treat relatives like that, that shed always thought her daughterinlaw was a good girl.
The good girl is gone, Emma said calmly, and dialed.
Hello, we need assistance. Former relatives refuse to return my flat keys and are refusing to leave the premises.
Half an hour later two officers arrived. They reviewed the situation and checked the property documents.
Maam, they said to Eleanor, return the keys and leave the flat.
But my son lives here!
Your son isnt the owner and has no right to dispose of the property.
With witnesses present, the older woman fished the keys from her purse and flung them on the floor.
Youll regret this! she shouted as she left. Youll end up alone!
Ill be alonewith my own money, Emma replied.
Mark silently picked up the suitcase and followed his mother out. At the door he turned.
Emma, maybe youll reconsider?
Theres nothing to reconsider.
A week later Emma filed for divorce. There was hardly any joint property to dividethe flat had always been hers, and the car had been bought with her own money. Nothing to split.
Mark called, begged to meet, promised everything would change, that hed cover all the expenses himself.
Too late, Emma said. Trust doesnt return.
But I love you!
Do you love meor my wallet?
You, of course!
Then why did you live off me for three years without a flicker of shame?
Mark had no answer.
The divorce went through quicklyMark didnt contest it; he knew resistance was pointless. The court dissolved the marriage.
For another month Eleanor rang Emmas phonecrying, threatening, then asking for money for medicine. Emma listened in silence and hung up.
My blood pressure is up because of you! the motherinlaw complained.
Ask your son to treat youhe has savings.
He says hes sorry to spend the money!
Wonderful. Now you understand how I felt for three years.
Six months later Emma ran into Mark at the supermarket. He looked worn out; his clothes had lost their crispness.
Hi, he said awkwardly.
Hello.
How are you?
Great. You?
Fine Im living with Mum for now.
I see.
You know, I realised I was wrong. I really did dump too much on you.
You realised?
Yes. Now I pay for all of Mums expenses myself, and I see how hard it is.
But you have savings.
I had. I spent them on her medicine and repairs to her flat.
And? Does it hurt to spend it?
Mark paused, then admitted, It does. A lot.
Now imagine doing that for three straight years.
It hurts.
Now, forgive me.
I already have. It doesnt change anything.
What if I make it right? Become a different man?
Mark, you only became different when my money disappeared from your life. That isnt changeEmma finally smiled, knowing she had reclaimed both her peace and her purse.
