Everythings clear, I get it, Victor said, his voice heavy with fatigue. Theyre kicking us out of our own house.
Victor, Mum and I are driving to you! Natalie shouted into the phone at three in the morning.
Dont come, Victor replied drowsily. Were asleep!
Victor, this isnt a joke! Get a bed for Mum and find a pullout sofa for me! Natalie snapped.
We dont have any pullout sofas, and every bedroom is already full! Victor yawned, the exhaustion contagious.
Are you mocking me? his sister shrieked into the receiver.
Sister, what do you want from me? Why are you showing up at my door at this hour? You have your own flat; go spend the night there! Victor asked, genuinely puzzled.
Victor! Natalie snapped, cutting him off. You have to let us in tonight! Weve nowhere else to go!
Whats happened? Victor asked innocently, nudging his wife aside.
He covered the receiver with his hand and said, Annie, Mum and little Natalie are on their way! Theyre desperate to get in!
Didnt you find another time? Annie asked, halfasleep.
Im glad were on the same page! Victor smiled.
All the while Natalie was babbling, alternating between sighs, groans and frantic shouts.
Lets make this short and simple! Victor demanded.
Victor! The doors jammed!
Badly? he asked.
First the lock seized, then the hinges warped and wouldnt close, and when I tried to push it with my shoulder it jammed completely! Natalie wailed, tears forming. We were in our pyjamas on the garden lawn! And the neighbours you know how nosy they are!
How fascinating! Victor grinned widely. The payback door finally caught up with you!
His wife, listening from the kitchen, shook her head theatrically, muffling a yawn. She wanted to laugh out loud, but didnt want to drown his words.
Victor, well have to wait until morning and then call a locksmith! Call a cab and pay by card! We have cash in the flat! Natalie urged.
So are you staying or leaving? Victor pressed.
Dont be daft! Natalie roared. Were stuck here like two chickens on the village green, under this cursed door!
Only in early childhood do parents love their children equally, giving them everything they can. As the kids grow, favourites emerge, and care follows the same pattern. The favourite gets more; the rest get the leftovers.
When Victor was about to get married, his younger sister Natalie immediately raised the issue of not wanting Victor and his young wife to live in the family flat.
Victor, shes your wife, Im just a stray aunt! And I have my own house! I want to come and go as I please! Natalie declared.
Whos stopping you? Victor asked, surprised.
The very thought of another person living with us makes me uncomfortable! Natalie quoted something shed read online.
What discomfort? Victor frowned. Annie and I are at work during the day. In the mornings you and Mum are still sleeping, and at night we all eat together and then retreat to our rooms!
Of course! Natalie huffed. And you wont even use the bathroom? I might be doing yoga in the hall at that hour!
Believe me, theres nothing exciting for us here! Victor replied. Whos going to watch you?
Victor! Natalie shouted, then added her mother to the call. Tell him! Why do we need an outsider in the house?
Natalie, said Margaret Harper, the mother, shes Victors wife, and to you shes a daughterinlaw. Shes practically family.
Shes distant kin, but legally shes an outsider! Mum, I dont want to live like in a council flat!
Margaret, as much as she could, loved her daughter more because her son reminded her of the husband who had abandoned her and their two children long ago. She sided with her daughter, though gently:
Victor dear, we love you, but we hardly know Annie. Well meet her, just not by moving in together first she said calmly, with a hint of persuasion. After all, youre a man! It would be odd if you lived on Mums neck! Your children will come, and Natalies still young! What if they invite friends over at night and youre stuck with the kids? Youll argue, but youre family!
Everythings clear, I understand, Victor said, sighing. Theyre kicking us out of our own home!
Victor, no ones kicking you out, Mum said. We just want to avoid trouble where we can.
You can live without a wife, Natalie replied, but with a wife, go your own way!
Annie quickly sensed that something was off between Victor, his mother and his sister. After the wedding theyd planned to stay with them to save for a deposit on a house. Three weeks before the ceremony Victor moved his belongings into a rented flat and brought Annie there.
Annie understood, but didnt intervene. She wasnt thrilled about sharing a roof with Victors relatives, yet for Victors sake she was willing to endure as long as necessary.
It didnt work out, so be that as it may, she told a friend. Victor just looks miserable.
Annie, stay out of it! her friend Kate warned. Itll keep your head clear!
Ill stay, but Victors really having a hard time! Kate replied. Thats why youre his wife, to support him! In essence youre now his family, and theyre just relatives!
Victor might have been yielding, but he quickly let go of the grudge when his own familys affairs piled up. They needed to sort out housing, and then Annie gave birth to a son.
Theres nowhere else to go, Victor said sadly. We wont be able to save much more. Well just keep scraping by.
I think the same, Annie agreed. When the mortgage payment comes due, you either want it or you dont, but youll have to pay.
They took out a thirtyyear mortgage. They had hoped for twenty years, but a longer term would have robbed them of any leisure.
Four years after little Tobys birth, the joy faded. Their second son, Sam, arrived with a triumphant cry.
No problem! Victor declared. Well manage!
Of course, love! Annie encouraged. Where shall we go?
When Sam turned five, Victor managed to secure two vouchers for a holiday cottage.
They rarely went on holidays, usually just visiting Annies family in the countryside. Even gardening felt like a vacation.
One day:
Annie! Theres a pool, spa treatments, a disco for overthirtysomethings, five meals a day! Its practically royal treatment!
The kids?
For a small extra charge we could take them, or maybe well leave them behind?
Should we lock them in a room or send them to my mums village? Annie asked with a grin.
The joke about locking them in a room was just thata joke. She wasnt actually going to hide the children; shed simply watch them on TV and feed them on schedule.
Mum, Victor pleaded, may I take the kids with me for a week? Annie and I want a break.
And where would you go? Natalie snapped, not letting her mother finish.
To a spa resort outside the city, Victor replied. We havent had a proper break in eight years.
So youre off to the resort and were left to guard your bandits? Natalie fumed. Brilliant plan!
Mum, Victor turned to his mother again, theyre quiet lads. Feed them, check theyre dressed properly, tuck them in on time. Apart from that theyre almost selfsufficient.
Hmm, Margaret mused.
No, Victor! Natalie shouted, pulling her mother into the argument. We just refurbished the house, new furniture! Its expensive!
And now your kids will ruin everything? Youll have to compensate us, especially when my husband drops by. Theres never enough space for the children!
Mum! Victor shouted, his hope draining.
Son, the renovation is fresh, Natalie is sorting her own life. You and Annie are a family; sort your own problems! Margaret said.
Thank you, Mum! Victor managed to say, syllable by syllable.
They went to the resort with the children, and Victor didnt speak of his relatives for weeks. He felt a sting of resentment.
Then trouble struck unexpectedly, and Victor had to swallow his pride and approach his family.
Mum, Natalie, Annies salary has been delayed. We need to pay the mortgage instalment urgently. Could you lend us three or four days wages? Victor asked.
Son, we dont have that, Im afraid, Margaret replied, looking at her daughter.
We do have it, Natalie slapped her mothers hand reassuringly. Dont worry!
Youve saved my life! Victor exhaled with relief.
No! Natalie warned. Youll have to save yourself; the money we set aside is for the new front door! The installer arrives next week. We need a deposit for the doors and for the work!
Natalie, what are you talking about? Victor was baffled. Im only asking for four days!
Its not clear how youll repay! I need to pay the carpenter in a week, then five days later hell install the doors and we must settle in full!
Youll settle it, Natalie! Victor snapped. Were in an emergency! The loan is due tomorrow, the salary comes the day after! Ill bring the cash or transfer it straight away!
You speak nicely, but Im not handing over the doors! If theyre delayed, what am I to do?
Lets go to the solicitor now and get everything sorted, even if I have to draw up a thousandpercent penalty! Victor retorted.
Ill take your penalties, but the door contract will expire! So, brother, off you go, dont cough!
Victor managed to wriggle out, delivering the money to the solicitor ahead of schedule. His mother and sister, however, found themselves on his blockedcontact list.
He told Annie everything, and she quoted a line shed once read: A wise person does not seek revenge; they wait for life to settle the score.
The waiting didnt last long
Thats it! Victor shouted. My cards empty! I cant even look for a way to help my own family, let alone anyone else!
Youve lost it! Were family!
And the doors! Victor added. Those doors are the final chord thats made me want nothing more from you!
How could you be so low, my son? his mothers voice rang out. Revenge is beneath you!
Im not taking revenge, Victor replied. I finally started paying my debts!
You never borrowed anything from us? Natalie asked, missing his meaning.
I took your attitude, Victor said. Your love, care and kindness. Im giving it back in the same measure I received!
The call ended, the phone went silent. It wasnt vengeance; it was a debt repaid.
