“Come for my birthday,” Margaret said over the phone. “Buy a cake, because I don’t have any money and there won’t be anything to serve. And don’t forget the fruit tea I like. As for my present, money would be best.”
Emily listened without interrupting. She agreed to everything, said goodbye, and ended the call. Her husband had been standing across from her and had heard every word.
“Your mother came with her usual list of demands?” Daniel asked with a bitter smile.
He felt genuinely sorry for his wife. Margaret was always asking for money, complaining that she was struggling, and finding one more reason after another why Emily should give her something.
“It’s her birthday,” Emily said, trying to defend her. “And she really doesn’t have any money.”
“She doesn’t have money because she sends every penny to Michael. She knows perfectly well that you won’t abandon her, that you’ll help, even if you have to give away your last dollar. In your family, money keeps moving in a circle, but somehow it always stops with you, Emily.”
“Why are you saying this now? Do you want me to leave Mom alone on her birthday? Are you really begrudging her the money for a cake?”
“I’m not sorry for the money. I’m sorry for you,” Daniel snapped. “How much longer are they going to keep pulling you apart and taking everything you have?”
“She sends her entire pension to your brother,” he continued, growing more frustrated. “Every single month, down to the last cent. In all the years we’ve been together, has she ever bought you a decent present? Has she ever helped you with anything?”
“She doesn’t have to. She’s my mother.”
“So you’re the one who has to do everything,” Daniel said. “And then you spend the rest of the month supporting her.”
“Michael needs help too. He has a child. And they live far away.”
“Doesn’t Emily need help?” he asked. “Is anyone planning to help you?”
“I don’t have children,” she replied, still unable to understand the force of his anger. “And if I ever need help, I have you.”
“Of course you do,” Daniel muttered quietly before walking into the other room.
He had long ago realized that arguing with Emily about her mother was pointless. Whenever Margaret was involved, his wife stopped listening to reason.
Only Emily, Daniel, and Margaret’s longtime neighbor attended Margaret’s birthday dinner.
They drank the fruit tea the guests had brought and ate the cake they had paid for. There was almost nothing else on the table.
Yet the conversation all evening was not about Emily and Daniel. It was about Michael, who lived several hours away and had been unable to come.
Apparently, he had been so busy that he couldn’t even spare a few minutes to call and wish his mother a happy birthday.
“Today is Sophie’s birthday too,” Margaret said proudly. “My granddaughter is turning eight.”
“She’s such a big girl now. Time passes so quickly. And I still haven’t seen her in person even once.”
“I’ve been thinking that perhaps I should sell my house and give some of the money to Michael. Then he could finally bring my granddaughter to visit me.”
“Where exactly would he bring her if you sold your house?” Daniel asked. He had been listening in silence for most of the evening, but he could no longer keep quiet.
“I’d buy myself a smaller place. A one-bedroom apartment.”
Daniel relaxed slightly. If Margaret truly intended to exchange her large home for something smaller, at least there seemed to be a sensible explanation.
But Margaret was not finished.
“It’s Sophie’s birthday, after all. I sent them some money today. I even had to take out a small loan. My granddaughter deserves a proper present.”
“Michael said she wanted an iPhone. One of the newest models.”
Emily nearly choked on her cake.
“Mom, an iPhone is one of the most expensive phones you can buy. How much did you borrow?”
“Oh, not much,” Margaret said dismissively. “Michael has a job. He’ll add some money himself. I only sent enough for the gift and a few sweets.”
Emily and Daniel stayed a little longer before finally heading home.
“Do you understand that your brother is deceiving your mother?” Daniel asked as soon as they stepped outside. “Today she took out a loan for that phone. Tomorrow she’ll sell the house.”
“In another year or two, your mother will move in with us and ask you to hand the house over to Michael.”
Emily only sighed heavily. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t start a fight with her own mother.
But Daniel refused to let the subject go.
“You have to make her see the truth about her son.”
“I don’t owe anyone anything,” Emily replied wearily. “And how do you imagine I’m supposed to do that?”
“I don’t know how. But you have to.”
“That’s enough, Daniel. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m exhausted, and I have to get up early.”
“Why?” His anger flared again, and his voice rose. “Why do you even need to get up early? What are you working for? To keep your mother?”
Emily said nothing more. She did not want another argument.
The next morning, Margaret called unusually early.