Look. I lean toward him. I won’t give you money, but I can offer you something else.
He looked up. What? My friend Francis Whitaker, a lawyer, is looking for a part-time assistant. Nothing complicated.
Sorting documents, answering phones. It won’t solve all your problems, but it’ll be an extra source of income. If you want, I can talk to him.
Toby looked surprised. Would you? Would you do that for me? After everything I’ve said? You’re my grandson, Toby. I love you no matter what.
But my love will no longer be expressed in checks and credit cards. He was silent for a moment, considering my words. Then he nodded slowly.
Okay. Yeah. I’ll give it a try.
Thank you, Grandma. When Toby left, I felt a strange mixture of sadness and satisfaction. Maybe this conversation was the first step toward building a new, healthier relationship with my grandson.
Or maybe it was just another manipulation on his part. Time would tell. That same evening, Rebecca arrived.
Unlike her brother, she looked collected and calm. I met Toby on the way over, she said as she helped me make dinner. He was kind of quiet.
We talked about money and responsibility. I chopped vegetables for the salad. I wasn’t sure he took it well.
Rebecca nodded, stirring the dressing. It’s good for him to grow up a little. Toby’s always had it too easy.
I glanced at my granddaughter. She and Toby were yearlings, but so different. Rebecca was always more independent, more mature.
How are things at home, I asked cautiously. Rebecca sighed. Honestly, not great.
My parents fight all the time. Mom blames Dad for not being able to convince you to return the financing. Dad says she’s the one who ruined it with her snobbery.
I’m sorry you have to be at the center of this conflict. I put my hand on her shoulder. It’s okay, she smiled weakly.
I’d known for a long time that their relationship was… wasn’t very healthy. They were together mostly for status and comfort. When both of those things were threatened, she didn’t finish her sentence, but I understood.
Garrett and Marissa’s marriage had always struck me as an odd union. My soft, compliant son and his ambitious, overbearing wife. Now that the financial cushion is gone, all the cracks in their relationship have become obvious.
They’re selling Mom’s car. Rebecca continued, setting the table. The SUV you gave her the money for last year, and they’re looking to refinance the mortgage.
I nodded without commenting. Part of me felt a prick of conscience. I didn’t want my son to suffer, but the other part realized it was a necessary lesson.
You know, Grandma? Rebecca sat down at the table. I want you to know that I support your decision. I looked at her in surprise.
You do? Yes, she nodded. I’ve seen them use you for a long time. Use you.
Especially Mom. I tried to talk to Dad, but he always made excuses. I sat down next to her, unexpectedly touched by her words.
Thank you, Rebecca. It means a lot to me. I just want you to be happy.
She took my hand. You’ve taken care of all of us for so many years. It’s time to think about yourself.
We ate dinner, talking about her work, my plans to go to Italy, and the books we’d recently read. Just a normal conversation between two people who are interested in each other. No asking, no manipulation, no tension.
This is exactly what I think a family relationship should look like. When Rebecca was about to leave, she hugged me tighter than usual. You know I’ll always be there for you, right? No matter what happens between you and your parents.
I know, honey. I stroked her cheek. And I’ll always be there for you.
Not because I have to, but because I want to. After Rebecca left, I sat in silence for a long time, thinking about the vicissitudes of family. How strange that of all my family, it was my granddaughter who was the most understanding, the most mature.
Maybe that was the point. To pass on not only genes and property, but also values, principles, the ability to truly love and care. The phone rang, interrupting my musings.
Garrett’s number. I hesitated, but decided to answer it. Yes, Garrett? Mom? His voice sounded strained.
We need to talk, tomorrow, as a family. About what? I asked calmly. About the situation we’re in.
About how we could fix it. I sighed. Garrett, I told you and Marissa, my decision is final.
Mom, please, he said, a pleading tone in his voice. At least hear us out. We’re ready to compromise.
I hesitated. Part of me didn’t want to continue this pointless circle of talk. But the other part, the wiser, calmer part knew that a complete break with my son wouldn’t make me happy.
Okay, Garrett. Two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. My place.
Thank you, Mom. The relief in his voice was almost palpable. We’ll be there.
All of us. I hung up the phone and went to the window. The evening sky was colored in shades of pink and gold.
I thought about tomorrow’s meeting. Another round of family negotiations. But this time it would be different.
I had new rules this time. I woke up early, even though the family meeting wasn’t scheduled until two in the afternoon. Despite my outward calmness, I could feel the tension.
Something told me that today’s conversation would be different from Garrett and Marissa’s previous attempts to influence my decision. To distract myself, I decided to garden. Working with the earth always calmed me.
Something peaceful about seeing your efforts turn into flowers and fruit. By noon, I had finished weeding and watering, showered and prepared a light lunch. Looking at the clock, I realized I still had plenty of time to gather my thoughts before my family arrived.
At exactly two o’clock, the doorbell rang. I took a deep breath and went to open it. Garrett stood on the doorstep alone without Marissa and the kids.
Mom, he nodded, entering the house. The others will be here in a few minutes. I wanted to talk to you alone first.
I silently led him into the living room. Garrett looked tense. His usually neat shirt crumpled in dark circles under his eyes.
Mom, he sat down across from me. I want you to know that what’s going to happen tonight was not my idea, Marissa insisted. I raised an eyebrow.
And what’s going to happen, Garrett? He lowered his eyes. She… we… Marissa feels that we need to take decisive action for you to realize how your decision affects the whole family. I could feel the anxiety building inside me.
What kind of action? Garrett opened his mouth to answer, but then there was the sound of cars pulling up. Lots of cars. I went to the window and saw three cars pulling into the driveway of my house.
Marissa stepped out of the first one, perfectly dressed and combed, a look of determination on her face. Behind her, Toby and Rebecca. The other cars were filled with people I vaguely recognized.
I think Marissa’s parents, her sister and her husband, some family friends. Garrett, I turned to my son. What does this mean? He looked confused.
Marissa decided that a family meeting would be more effective if all interested parties were present. Stakeholders? I couldn’t believe my ears. Your wife brought a bunch of outsiders into my house to discuss our family conflict.
Before Garrett could answer, the doorbell rang with a demanding trill. I slowly went to open it, feeling the anger building inside of me. Cold, focused, determined.
Marissa stood on the doorstep with a strained smile. Edith, good afternoon. She spoke louder than usual, obviously to the audience behind her.
We are all here to discuss the situation at hand, as a family. I looked around at the assembled group, at least 10 people, all with expressions of awkwardness and curiosity on their faces. Marissa, I said quietly but firmly.
I didn’t invite all these people into my house. But this is family, Edith. She waved her hands in exaggerated surprise.
Isn’t a family supposed to support each other in times of need? I saw Rebecca standing off to the side, clearly embarrassed. Toby, on the other hand, stayed close to his mother, mimicking her confident posture. I’m my parents, Marissa pointed to an elderly couple.
My brother, Curtis, and his wife, my sister, Paige, and her husband. They’re all concerned about what’s going on. We’re all one big family, aren’t we? I looked her straight in the eye.
No, Marissa, we’re not. This is my house, and I decide who I invite into it. Right now, I’m only inviting you, Garrett and the kids.
The rest of you will have to leave. Marissa took a step forward, her smile strained. Edith, don’t be so inhospitable.
People have come a long way. On your initiative, not mine. I remained adamant.
Either they leave, or there will be no conversation at all. There was a tense pause. I could see Marissa thinking frantically, considering her options.
Finally, she turned to her relatives. I think we better continue this family conversation in private. Please wait in the cars or take a walk around the neighborhood.
We’ll be done soon. Marissa’s relatives shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, exchanging glances. Finally, her father, a tall man with a military bearing, nodded.
Of course, dear, we’ll be in the neighborhood. I watched in silence as they separated, then stepped aside, letting Marissa, Toby, and Rebecca into the house. When the door closed, I turned back to the family.
So, my voice sounded calm even though I was seething inside. Who’s gonna tell me what this circus is all about? Marissa was the first to break the silence. Edith, your decision to withdraw your financial support doesn’t just affect Garrett and me.
It affects our entire extended family. My parents were counting on us to help pay for their nursing home. Garrett’s brother needs support because he lost his job.
Garrett’s brother? I interrupted her, turning to my son. You mean Neil? The one I haven’t seen in five years because you forgot to invite him to family gatherings? Garrett looked confused, but Marissa continued. The bottom line, Edith, is that your selfish decision has created a domino effect.
Everyone suffers, including your grandchildren. Toby nodded, picking up the baton. Grandma, I can’t pay my rent.
I’m being evicted at the end of the month. You could move back in with your parents temporarily, I said. That’s the problem, Marissa exclaimed.
We can barely make ends meet on our own. The bank is threatening to foreclose on the house if we don’t make the payments by the end of the week. I looked over at Rebecca, who was standing quietly to the side.
What about you, Rebecca? Come to ask for money, too? She shook her head. No, Grandma. I’m here because I didn’t want them to speak for me.
I respect your decision. Marissa gave her daughter an annoyed look, but continued, turning to me. Edith, we’re ready to compromise.
We realize we’ve hurt you. Garrett shouldn’t have sent that message. It was a mistake that we’re all paying for.
This isn’t about the message, Marissa. I shook my head. The message was just the last straw.
It’s about years of neglect, disrespect, and use. Use? Marissa threw up her hands theatrically. We’re a family.
Families support each other. Interesting that you only bring up family values when it comes to money, I remarked calmly. Where was this family unity when I spent the holidays alone? When I was sick and none of you took the time to bring me medicine? When it was the anniversary of James’s death and none of you called? There was silence.
Garrett lowered his eyes. Toby shifted nervously from foot to foot. Only Marissa remained unfazed.
We’re all very busy, Edith. We have jobs, commitments. I’ve had work and commitments too, I interrupted her.
But I always found time and money for my family. Always putting your needs before my own. And how did you repay me for that? I looked at each of them in turn.
Garrett, when was the last time you asked me how I was feeling? Not to be polite, but because you were genuinely curious? My son was silent, not looking up. Toby, how many times have you come to me for nothing? Not when you needed money. My grandson licked his lips nervously, but didn’t answer either.
Marissa, I turned to my daughter-in-law. Name one thing you’ve done for me over the years? One gesture of care or respect? She opened her mouth but couldn’t find anything to say. You see, I sighed.
You can’t even think of any examples of a normal human relationship between us. Because there were none. There were only transactions I gave you took.
Marissa was the first to come to her senses. Edith, this is manipulation. You’re trying to make us feel guilty to distract us from the core of the problem.
And what is the crux of the problem, Marissa? I asked with genuine curiosity. It’s that you are destroying our family with your selfishness. She was almost shouting.