What could be more precious than money?
Eleanor and Andrew had been married for almost ten years and had two little ones. Eleanor worked in a preschool, while Andrew was on the factory floor. Money was a constant worry; almost every pound of their combined salaries vanished on loan repayments, leaving them with almost nothing for everyday life.
Ellie, what about your birthday? Shall we have a celebration? Its a milestone after all, I said, hoping shed remember turning thirty. We had no cash for a party, and she reminded me of that.
What will we serve the guests? Stale biscuits and tap water? she replied.
Why jump to extremes? It doesnt have to be a lavish affair. We could buy a cake, some sweets, and simply have tea. Invite Mum, a few close relatives. Your brothers due in from the capital soon, isnt he?
Yes, Edward mentioned hed be back at the end of the month, but Im not keen on inviting him.
Why not? Hes a businessman, perhaps hell bring a gift. Even if not, the whole family would be together.
Im not sure. I need to think about it, Eleanor said. The constant work with children and the endless shortage of cash wore her down.
After a moments thought, Eleanor decided to call the relatives over for tea. She phoned them, asking them to drop by at months end, and also reached out to her brother. Edward had lived for years in the bustling metropolis of London, where he ran a sizeable construction firm. He was single, consumed by work, and had little time for personal ties.
Edwards fortunes had skyrocketed almost as soon as he settled in the capital. The wealth and dizzying success swelled his pride; he became arrogant, constantly mocking relatives as poor failures. This behaviour grated on Eleanor, and she gradually limited contact with him.
Will you come to my birthday? she asked, not wanting to invite her brother, knowing Mum would never approve.
Of course I will! Edward shouted when he heard about the family gathering. Which restaurant are you booking?
No restaurant well stay home, sip tea and chat.
Right, got it, he said with a smirk. Id forgotten your financial straits. Ill give it some thought.
In the end, almost everyone Eleanor called turned up for tea, but Edward was absent. He had flown in from London to his hometown, yet he never stepped foot in his sisters house.
You know your brother he expected a restaurant, not a tearoom. Still, Mum handed you a little box, Margaret, Eleanors mother, said, presenting a modest parcel.
Whats this? Eleanor asked, puzzled.
I dont know; he didnt tell me.
When Margaret opened the package, an old figurine emerged.
What am I supposed to do with this trinket? Eleanor asked, disappointed.
I have no idea, Margaret admitted. She had hoped Edward would bring something more useful, and seeing the useless bauble also upset her. You should at least thank him for the thought.
Since Edward hadnt visited and had sent the figurine via Mum, Eleanor stopped speaking to him. Yet late that evening Edward called his sister.
I didnt come because I had more important matters than a tea gathering, he said.
Then you shouldnt have sent a gift at all. Id have kept the trinket myself, Eleanor retorted.
A trinket?! Edward laughed sarcastically. Clearly you dont appreciate fine things. Its actually an antique worth a fair sum. My friends gave it to me, but it didnt fit my modern flat, so I had to get rid of it.
And what do you expect me to do with it? Eleanor asked, her irritation clear.
Put it on a dresser and let it remind you of the money youll never earn, he sneered, then tried to hang up. By the way, dont even think about selling my gift! Photograph it each month and send me a report. I wont let you profit off me!
His final words stunned Eleanor. She knew Edward was prideful, but this was excessive. She never sent him any photos; instead, her mother did. Margaret didnt want an open family feud, so she quietly snapped pictures of the figurine and mailed them to her son.
Months later, the familys finances hit rock bottom. Andrew lost his job, and they could no longer meet their loan obligations.
Dont worry, Ill find work soon, Andrew tried to reassure her, though his voice trembled.
Well soon have nothing left to eat, Eleanor said, eyeing the figurine. Perhaps we should sell it. Its worth a decent amountenough to clear the debts, and then you can look for a new job.
But Edward forbid us to sell it
So what? Do we want to end up on the street? If we dont get money soon, therell be nowhere to put the figurine anyway.
Andrew didnt argue. After all, it was Eleanors gift and she could decide its fate. She arranged a sale with an antique dealer and walked away with a respectable sum. The loan balance vanished, and a wave of relief washed over them. Andrew soon secured new employment, and life settled into a more manageable rhythm.
The brief joy was shortlived. A month later, Margaret stopped sending Edward the monthly photos. She refused to tell her brother that her sister had sold the piece, inventing excuses for the silence. Edward, however, sensed something was amiss. While on business in his hometown, he decided to check the figurines whereabouts himself, apparently planning to reclaim the gift.
Hows my gift doing? Still sitting on a dresser, making you happy? he demanded when he turned up unannounced.
Um Eleanor was taken off guard and answered honestly. Your gift is now with other art lovers.
What do you mean? Edward pressed. What are you trying to say?
I sold your figurine, she said, swallowing. We were drowning in debt and had no other choice.
You sold it for the debts? Edwards eyes flashed red. I told you not to! Who gave you the right?
You gave me that right when you sent it through Mum, Eleanor snapped back.
No! I said it should stay in the house!
Stop this nonsense! Eleanor could no longer tolerate her brothers arrogance. Why would I keep a pricey bauble that sat untouched for months? If we hadnt sold it, wed be living on the pavement now. Do you understand?
Its none of my business, Edward retorted. Deal with your own problems!
Thats settled then, Eleanor said.
At my expense?! he shouted. No one asked me to give that gift. You tried to humiliate me with a useless trinket, but it backfired. I decide what I do with my own property. If you insult me again about the sale, Ill throw you out!
Youll throw me out? he snarled. Ill leave this cramped flat myself! I should have known youd be foolish enough to break your word. My feet will no longer stand on this floor!
Those were Edwards final words to his sister. The wealthy businessman walked away, bitter and bruised, his plan to ridicule her having backfired.
When Edward stormed out, Eleanor felt an unexpected lightness. She no longer feared his haughty stare or the pricey trinket. Selling the antique untangled most of the familys financial knots, a relief far more valuable than any lingering grievance.
Margaret was deeply saddened to learn her children had fought, though she loved them both equally and tried to stay out of the conflict. In the end, both Eleanor and Edward went their separate ways, each living their own lives.
