At 25, I built my own house, and at the housewarming, my mother pulled me aside
«You feel fine. Just can’t get your way.» Ethan decided to back Mom.
«Bro, don’t you see? Mom’s bad. Mom’s bad because can’t make me give house. That’s what’s bad for Mom.»
Emily Johnson saw act failed. She straightened sharply, face hard, angry. «Know what, son,» she said different tone, «I see you’re greedy.
Wealth spoiled you. Traded family for money.» «I traded for money?» David finally turned.
«Or you showed in my life only when learned I have money?» «How dare you?» «I dare. Because true: seven years didn’t know if I lived, learned house built, showed up.» «I thought you’d come»…
«No, Mom. You thought I’d die under some fence, problem solved itself. But I didn’t.
Survived, learned, got rich, now you want your share.» Emily Johnson stood from couch. Face pale with rage.
«Fine,» she said, «if you’re like that, don’t recognize family, won’t help own brother, your choice. But remember, you have one mother, and when I die, too late to repent.» «One mother indeed,» David agreed, «shame she’s like this.»
Emily Johnson jerked as if slapped. She backed up, hand seeking support, but missed and fell to floor. David sat in chair, indifferently watching Mom grunt up, hands shake, breath ragged.
He made no move to help. Olivia rushed to fallen woman. «Emily, you okay?»
«Don’t touch me,» she waved off, «I can.» She rose, dusted suit, fixed hair. Face deathly pale, lips trembling.
«Fine,» she said, looking at son. «Very fine; now I know what I raised: heartless egoist.» «You raised Ethan,» David said, «I raised myself, despite your upbringing.»
«Come, Ethan,» Emily Johnson said, «nothing for us here.» Ethan rose reluctantly; he hoped to persuade brother. «Dave, maybe think more,» he said, «house really big; half would do for me.»
David looked at younger brother so he silenced. «Get out,» he said quietly, «now.» Emily Johnson headed out.
At door, she turned. «Know what, son,» she said, «I’ll never cross this threshold again. Nor Ethan.
Live here alone, like in a tomb.» «Better than with you,» David answered. «You’ll regret,» Mom shouted, «you’ll crawl on knees.»
«Won’t.» «You will. Everyone needs a mother.»
Door slammed. David heard voices fade, taxi door shut. Then silence.
Olivia approached husband, hugged shoulders. «It’s okay,» she said softly, «all right.» David hugged back.
He felt emptiness, fatigue, but odd relief. «Finally everything in place. Finally,» he told mother, «all I thought seven years.»
«They won’t come again,» he said. «Good,» Olivia answered. They sat by fireplace, embraced, watched fire.
House their home again, their fortress. Past couldn’t burst in and destroy anymore. At least, David thought so.
First months after scandal passed calmly. David almost forgot unpleasant visit, focusing on work and family. Olivia got pregnant, they eagerly set up nursery, chose baby name.
House filled with new plans, hopes. But Emily Johnson wouldn’t give up. She spent a week digesting humiliation, then started new attack.
First, calls to work, tearful, pleading, begging meetings. David hung up mid-sentence. Then she sent Ethan.
Younger brother showed at site one October day. David was handing over project, small shopping center his crew built six months. Seeing Ethan at gate, he wasn’t surprised.
Just approached, asked what you want? — Want to talk, — Ethan said, brother to brother. — Talk about nothing. — Dave, come on! — Ethan tried friendly tone.
— We’re blood. Really cut ties over some fight? — Some fight? — David smirked. — You demanded I give you house.
Not fight, audacity. — Didn’t demand. Mom suggested, I agreed. Thought maybe you don’t need such big house…
I need it. Baby soon, then maybe more kids. House just right.
Ethan paused, shifting feet. — Listen, maybe help with money? — he said finally. — Need to rent apartment, no cash.
Loan from you, pay back later. — Pay when? — When I can. Get job, start salary.
— Job! — David eyed brother. — You’re 23, still can’t work. What changed? — Changed I’m marrying.
— Iris says. — Either job or she leaves. — Smart girl; long overdue ultimatum.
— Dave, help! — Ethan almost begged. — You’re rich, won’t miss it; change my life. — Won’t help, — David said short…
