At 25, I built my own house, and at the housewarming, my mother pulled me aside
David watched from the window as they got out. Mom was in her best suit, bought ten years ago. Ethan in wrinkled jeans and jacket.
Looked unkempt, unshaven. At 23, he still seemed a spoiled teen. «Son!» Emily Johnson exclaimed, stepping inside.
She tried to hug David, but he pulled back, settling for a formal cheek kiss. «Come in,» he said dryly. Ethan nodded to his brother, saying nothing.
He immediately started eyeing the house, and David saw poorly hidden envy in his eyes. «Olivia, my wife,» David introduced. Olivia smiled, extended her hand.
«Nice to meet you!» Emily Johnson gave her daughter-in-law an appraising look. «Pretty, young; does she work?»
«Designer,» Olivia replied. «Ah, creative job. Good when a woman has a hobby!»
David clenched his fists. Mom was starting already. Subtle jabs, veiled insults.
Olivia just smiled wider, not taking the bait. «Come to the living room,» David said. Emily Johnson entered the spacious room and froze.
High ceilings, big windows, solid natural wood furniture, fireplace with live fire—all impressed her. She slowly walked the room, touching chair backs, examining wall paintings. «Beautiful!» she said finally.
«Expensive, probably?» «Not cheap,» David answered. Ethan went to the fireplace, warmed his hands.
«Cool! How many rooms total?» «Seven, plus kitchen and utility spaces.» «Whoa!» Ethan whistled.
«Too much for two, huh?» David didn’t answer. He saw his younger brother calculating, appraising, envying.
Ethan had always been like that. Thought the world should revolve around him, and if something went to others, it was unfair. «Can we have a tour?» Emily Johnson asked.
«Want to see what my son built.» David showed them the house. Mom peeked every corner, opened cabinets, checked plumbing.
She wasn’t shy, acting like the owner inspecting property. «Nice bedroom,» she said, entering the master. «Big bed, room for kids.
When are grandkids planned?» Olivia blushed. «Not yet. Want to live for ourselves.»
«Ah, youth!» Emily Johnson shook her head. «Time waits for no one. I want to babysit grandkids already.»
David stood by, thinking of her audacity. Seven years silence, now wanting grandkids. Convenient.
In the kitchen, Mom lingered longest. She eyed appliances, estimated costs, looked in the fridge. «Good stove,» she said, «cooking on this is a pleasure…
And such a big fridge, for a whole football team.» Ethan roamed the kitchen too, opening cabinets, touching everything. «Dishwasher? Cool! What’s this?» he pointed at the coffee maker.
«Coffee machine,» David said dryly. «Expensive, probably. Can I try?» Olivia silently turned it on, made coffee.
Ethan tried it, nodded approvingly. «Tasty. Better than cafe.»
«Yeah,» Emily Johnson sighed, «living like kings. Big house, fancy appliances, solid furniture. Lucky you, David.»
«Lucky?» David couldn’t hold back. «I worked like hell twelve years to build this. What luck?» «Don’t get mad, son.
I mean well.» They returned to the living room, sat at the table. Olivia brought pie, poured tea.
They ate in silence for a while, only the fire crackling. «Tasty pie,» Emily Johnson said. «She can cook.
Good in a wife.» «Thanks,» Olivia smiled. «The house is really big,» Mom continued.
«Too big for two. Rooms empty, just collecting dust.» David tensed.
He knew that tone, when Mom started on practicality and rationality. «We like the space,» he said. «Of course, but still impractical.
Such a house needs a big family.» Ethan looked up from his plate. «Yeah, cool house.
I’d like one.» «Exactly,» Emily Johnson perked up. «Ethan and his girl have nowhere to live.
They’ve been dating two years, planning to marry. But live at my place or her parents’. Inconvenient.»
David felt every muscle tense. There it was. Not even an hour, and Mom got to the point.
«So what?» he asked coldly. «They need housing; young family, kids coming, but my apartment’s small, studio.» «Let them rent or buy.»
«On what?» Emily Johnson spoke more convincingly. «Ethan just started working. Small salary.
Housing prices sky-high.» David stayed silent, waiting for more. He knew where she was going but wanted to hear it.
«You know, son…» Emily Johnson stood and approached him. «I have a reasonable proposal.»
«What?» She sat beside him, took his hand. David didn’t pull away but didn’t respond. «Give this house to Ethan,» she said trustingly, «and move in with me.
A room will do for you; you were single until recently.» David felt blood rush to his face. Olivia sat opposite, pale, eyes wide.
«What?» he asked, disbelieving. «Think reasonably,» Mom continued, «big house, just two of you. Ethan building family, having kids; they need space.
You’re young; my apartment’s enough. Later, when kids come, find something else.» Ethan nodded approvingly.
«Yeah, Dave, great idea. I like the house. Wouldn’t sell it, take care of it.»
«See?» Emily Johnson squeezed her son’s hand. «Ethan appreciates the house, will live in it, raise family, instead of it standing empty, just expenses.» David slowly freed his hand.
He looked at his mother, unbelieving such audacity. Even knowing her, he hadn’t expected this. «You serious?» he asked quietly…
