Katie, has Tom already told you? the motherinlaw asked, her voice sharp. Listen, well have up to twenty guests, so well start the preparations at dusk. Ill be there early, around six oclock.
At six? In the evening? Katie replied, skeptical. No, I never agreed to that.
Hold on, Im not finished yet. Tom already sent me the shopping list; he promised to buy everything.
Tom had always been the one to look after his older sister, Emily. By the time she turned thirty, shed been married and divorced twice, each time blaming the wrong bloke for the split. Their mother, Margaret, had been telling her son since childhood:
You must help your sister.
And Tom did. Hed lent money when Emily was temporarily out of work, repaired the flat she rented, and hauled her belongings after each breakup.
Then he married.
Katie, his wife, had put up with it for a while. But when, for the fifth time that year, Emily asked to borrow the car for a few days because it had broken down again, Katie said softly but firmly:
Tom, isnt this enough? We need the car this weekend too. I thought we had plans
Whats the problem? Cant you walk?
No. You cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyve picked out two jars of pickles for us. I thought you heard me when I mentioned it.
Right I heard something, but you understandEmilys got an emergency.
Again? What kind?
Im not sure, Tom muttered, but she needs it more.
No, Tom. This time it wont work! Either you refuse your sister, or you buy me a car. Im fed up taking the bus when you could drive us where we need to go.
For the first time Tom hesitated, about to call Emily and turn her down, when Margaret snapped her fingers and set things straight:
Are you going to abandon your sister for your wife? Shes the only one you have! Who will help her if not you?
And Tom fell back into the old pattern, despite the arguments with Katie. One day they didnt speak for several days, and Tom finally snapped:
Why are you silent? Did I offend you?
Really? It took you three days to realise that? Katie snapped back.
I just cant get back on track What exactly? she asked.
Katie laughed at his bewilderment:
Seriously? You dont get it? Your sister took you away for the whole weekend because she needed to get to a friends cottage. I thought youd just give her a lift, but you ended up staying there for two days. Does that bother you at all?
Whats there to be bothered about? A few drinks, perhaps. Her ex was there, and I was chatting with him. It was a celebration, wasnt it? Why would I be a fool and drive?
You could have at least called.
You could have, too Tom retorted.
I did call! Your phone was off. Imagine that! I was on edge, not knowing where my husband was. And he just decided to take a break from me she snapped.
Dont make that up, Tom waved his hand, indicating a ringing phone.
Tom stepped onto the balcony and finally answered. He knew his wife wouldnt appreciate another chat with his sister.
Hi, brother! Emilys voice crackled over the line. My anniversary is in two weeks! Thirty years! You know what I mean?
Tom glanced at Katie, who was pouring soup.
So what do you want? he asked.
You always get me! Emily giggled. I want to celebrate at your place! Youve got a big living room. Mines a rented flat cramped, and the landlord will be furious. A restaurant is too pricey.
How about a café? Ill chip in whatever you need.
Are you off your rocker?! Emily erupted. Its an anniversary! You expect me to pay for a venue when you have your own flat? And youll still have to foot the bill. Im not a millionaires daughter.
Let me talk to Katie first. Its her flat too. Maybe she had other plans.
Too late! Emily cut him off. Ive already told everyone the partys at your house. Clear the flat for the whole day, okay? Mum says shell handle the cooking.
Tom sighed, covering his face with his hand, trying to think of a way out. The phone buzzed again, this time a message from his mother:
Emily said to write a menu. Heres the list of dishes. We still need to buy the ingredients. Ask Katie to help. She can assist with the cooking too.
At that moment Katie, oblivious to Emilys upcoming celebration, sank into an armchair with her phone, ready to watch her favourite series. When Tom entered the room, eyes downcast, she instantly understood.
So, what now? she asked calmly, pausing the show.
Katie, listen Emilys anniversary, thirty years. You know the date. She wants to mark it.
Katie lifted her head.
Let her celebrate then. Are we going to stop her?
Tom scratched the back of his neck.
Its not that. She wants to celebrate in our flat.
What?! Katie sprang up. In our flat?
Yes, but only for one night. She says a restaurant is expensive and her place is cramped
And what? You agreed?
I said Id talk to you first! But Emilys already invited everyone. Mums already drafting the menu
Katie closed her eyes, breathing hard.
Tom are you really an adult, or just a messenger for Emilys wishes?
What are you starting?
Im starting? Katie said, tinged with irony, holding up her phone. And nobody even called me? This is my flat, not a transit hub for your relatives. Emily wants to party in my house, Im supposed to help her, and also assist your mum and I wasnt even asked!
At that moment Katies phone rang.
Ah, the cherry on top, she hissed. Your mum, she waved the handset in front of Tom.
Katie, has Tom told you? the motherinlaw blurted, as if repeating the earlier line. Look, therell be up to twenty people. Well start cooking this evening. Ill be there around six, the night before.
Evening? Katie smiled skeptically. No, I never signed up for that.
Wait, I wasnt done. Tom already has the shopping list; he promised to get everything.
Suppose Katie tossed it back. And the money? Where are we supposed to get it?
Tom promised to help, Margaret answered shortly.
Right. So you want to turn my flat into a restaurant and expect us to foot the bill? Katie could no longer hold back.
Emily isnt a stranger! Its not hard to help for a day cut some veggies, make salads, sandwiches Youre the lady of the house!
Margaret, Katie interjected, I just found out about the party. I never gave permission for Emilys birthday to be in my flat.
What do you mean my flat? You and Tom are married. Everything is shared! the motherinlaw snapped.
Dont say that. If the flat were Toms, you wouldnt speak like this. Then Id just be a kept woman.
Stop the nonsense. Thats it, conversation over. By Friday we need to buy everything, Margaret declared, hanging up.
What was that? Katie asked Tom, hearing the click of the line.
Stop playing the victim! Tom finally shouted. Youve been told youre wrong. Admit your mistake and stop digging your heels in.
Katie was stunned. She rose, walked to the wardrobe, and silently pulled out a large sports bag. She then went to the bedroom, opened the chest of drawers and began methodically folding Toms Tshirts and jeans.
Meanwhile Tom, convinced hed won, flung open the fridge, grabbed a bottle of lager, slammed the door and plonked himself in front of the TV as if nothing had happened.
He imagined Katie would cool down and everything would return to normal. A little grumble, a sigh, and peace. He even turned on the football, thinking shed pop in and call him to dinner. He was wrong.
Half an hour later Katie stood in the hallway with a shopping bag, a second sports bag overflowing with Toms belongings. Tom left the living room to fetch another drink, but stopped dead when he saw her.
Whats this now? he muttered. What kind of drama is this?
Katie stared at him, cold.
This isnt drama, Tom. Its the end. Im done being a shadow in my own life, a servant in my own flat, a backdrop for your mothers and sisters whims. If you want to be a good son and brother fine. Go back to mum. Start preparing for the party together. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner of her living room.
Youre serious? he took a step forward. Im not going back.
Absolutely serious, Katie nodded. I dont want you to come back. Ive put up with enough to start questioning myself. Thats enough. If you dont learn to respect me in three years, things will only get worse.
Katie you cant tear everything apart in a heartbeat!
You cant destroy whats already broken.
Tom sneered, still not grasping that Katie had made up her mind.
And by the way, Katie added, all your shirts and jeans are right here. No thanks needed. Get out now.
He tried to speak, but Katie opened the front door. Tom stood there, fists clenched, cheeks flushed, lips pressed tight. He hoped shed relent, but her calm only fueled his fury.
Fine then! he shouted. Think youll find someone better? There are plenty of men like me out there!
Katie huffed and stepped back:
Men like you are easy to find thank God.
Youll regret this! Tom roared, snatching at the bag. Youll be on your knees when you realise nobody wants to talk to you! Without me youre nothing!
If nothing means a person who has their own flat, a job, doesnt cater to overbearing relatives and refuses abuse, then Im happy being nothing.
Tom left, and Katie stayed alone. She breathed deeply, walked to the window, pulled back the curtain and watched him load his bag into a taxi boot.
Months passed.
The divorce was ugly. Tom tried to paint Katie as materialistic and greedy. The biggest battleground was the car theyd bought together. He insisted hed paid for it alone; Katie argued shed driven it every day.
Your Honour, I paid the full amount, the vehicle is registered in my name! he declared confidently. My wife contributed not a penny!
Katie coolly opened a folder of documents, spread bank statements, transfer receipts, copies of invoices, even the original deposit agreement shed signed.
Im not fighting for a share of his, but I wont give mine away, she said evenly.
The judge ruled in her favour.
Tom was livid. He now considered the car his own, and the courts decision meant hed have to sell it and split the proceeds. He stormed out of the courtroom with a scowl twisted by rage.
At home, his mother didnt offer comfort but a torrent of accusations.
You absolute fool! Margaret screamed. You gave her everything! The car! The flat! And you didnt even get a decent solicitor!
On top of that, Tom had taken out a loan to fund Emilys anniversary dinner at a restaurant because hed got her a flat. Now he lived in a tiny rented room in his mothers house.
Katie, for the first time in ages, slept peacefully. She decided she was still young enough to leave someone like Tom behind. Good men were out there; the real challenge was learning, in time, who was who.
