All my life, I dreamed of being in my brothers placeuntil everything changed.
Mum fell pregnant with me at nineteen. My father left the moment he found out. He wasnt ready for a family; his life was all about nights out with his mates. My grandparents were furious with her. To them, having a child out of wedlock was a disgrace. Granddad kicked her out, calling her an “irresponsible girl.”
She struggled terribly but refused to give up. She enrolled in night classes and found work. We lived in a tiny student dorm room. I had to grow up fastdoing the shopping, cleaning, reheating meals. There was no time to play. From as far back as I can remember, I was too busy helping her.
I never complained. I knew I was the man of the house, even if I was just a boy.
Then Mum started seeing Simon. I liked him straight awayhed bring sweets and groceries, and Mum smiled more. One day, she told me they were getting married and wed move to a proper house. I was over the moon. I wanted a dad, and I hoped Simon would be that for me.
At first, things were good. No more chores. I could finally listen to music, read books. I had my own room. Simon helped Mum, and she seemed happy.
Then she announced she was expecting. Soon after, Simon told me I had to move into a tiny box roomformerly a storage closetbecause the nursery needed my bedroom. I didnt understand why *I* had to go, especially with other rooms sitting empty.
The next day, all my things were moved. It wasnt fair, but I stayed quiet.
When Henry was born, my nights turned to chaos. His crying kept me up, and my schoolwork suffered. Teachers scolded me; Mum snapped at me.
*”You should be setting an example! Instead, youre just lazyembarrassing us!”* shed shout whenever my grades slipped.
As Henry grew, I was his minderpushing his pram around the estate, face burning with shame while the lads laughed. Everything was for him. If I asked for anything, Simon would say, *”Moneys tight just now.”*
I took Henry to nursery, fetched him, fed him, cleaned. All I wanted was for him to grow up.
When he started school, Mum ordered me to help with his homework. Spoiled and stubborn, he never listened. No matter how hard I tried, his marks were dreadful. If I told him off, hed run to Mum, and shed always take his side.
Henry got shuffled from school to school before they finally paid for a posh private one where good grades came with the fees.
I went to trade college, studied mechanicsnot because I loved it, but to escape home. Later, I got into uni, worked nights, saved every penny for my own flat. Years on, I married.
Henry got a flat from Simon but still lives with our parents. He wont work, just lives off the rent.
At a New Years dinner, his girlfriend was there. Passing the kitchen, I overheard her:
*”Youre lucky with Jameshardworking, responsible. Why cant Henry be like that? I beg him to settle down, but hes still tied to your apron strings. Hes got his rent money but does nothing.”*
*”James is wonderful,”* my wife agreed. *”Leave Henry. Hell never be a proper husband.”*
And she was right. Plenty of women tried to change him, but he didnt care. He spent whole days on the sofa, telly blaring. Mum never approved of his girlfriendsnone were good enough for her boy.
Thats when I realisedI was proud. Happy. Life had paid me back for every hardship. Now Ive got my own family, a loving wife, a little girl, and a homeall earned by my own hands.
