Retribution
Evening, all! My older brother, Daniel, barged into the flat with his usual tornado of energy. This is Emily, everyone. Say hello!
I turned and forced a smile, though once again I wanted to howl: Where do you even find these Emilys, Lucys, and Olivias?
Daniel was every bit the catcha tall, handsome, and charismatic chap with a knack for making everyone laugh and gathering friends wherever he went. He always had a gaggle of girls trailing after him, many of them true stunners. And yet, my brother somehow always picked the plainest, most unremarkable ones of the bunch. Why? I simply couldnt fathom it.
Once, I asked him straight out. He just tapped my nose and told me I didnt get it. Later, I asked Mum, who squirmed before telling me it was just his taste. I just scoffed inwardly. Taste, sure. I had seen the girls he eyed on the streetglamorous, confident types. Yet these werent the girls he ever brought home. Was he just inflating his own ego at their expense?
Whats there to puzzle over? my friend Hannah shrugged when I shared my theories. Those plain girls will put up with anything. He can galavant as he pleases, and theyll be waiting at home, making his tea and starching his shirts.
It made sense, in a sad way.
But why does he swap them out now and again, though? I asked.
That I couldnt tell you, Hannah admitted.
I decided Id probably never really understand Daniel.
* * *
To my surprise, I actually liked Emily. She didnt fit the usual mouldshe was charming, bright, and had a cracking sense of humour.
At last! A normal lass! I thought to myself. Hes bound to marry this one!
Mum called us to dinner, then later Daniel and Emily left. I was halfway to the kitchen to have a word with Mum, tell her how much I liked Emily and wanted things to work out, when I overheard Dads voice.
Lets hope he finally marries her and gets off our backs, Dad was saying. Honestly, the lads old enough, but he refuses to get a proper job! He just lives off women.
I dont know Mum sighed. He mentioned her parents have money, shes got her own flat, and a decent job. Itd be nice if she took him off our hands.
She paused, then quietly added, I wish hed settle down and stop asking us for money
And then it hit me. Daniel wasnt just picking girls who adored him, but girls whose parents were well offgirls with open wallets. And each one was a rung higher, each better off than the last. Emily, it seemed, had trumped them all with a solid job to boot.
Utterly wrong. Utterly unfair, and frankly, disgusting.
I suddenly felt so sorry for Emily, and it left me properly dejected.
* * *
Daniels romance with Emily quickly gathered steam. He lavished her with expensive giftsall funded by my parents. Despite their protests and repeated vows to cut him off, Daniel somehow always convinced them otherwise. Arguments became frequent, and I found myself escaping to Hannahs to avoid the rows.
Is your brother ever going to actually propose to Emily or what? Hannah asked.
I just shrugged. How should I know? Maybe he thinks its a bit early.
I wouldnt be dragging it out like that, if I were him. She might twig what hes like and dump him. After all the money your folks have spent Crikey!
She had a point.
* * *
Eventually, it happened. Daniel proposed, Emily accepted, and the whole family rejoicedmost of all, Mum and Dad. But nothing really changed. The wedding was set for the spring, but spring was ages away. And again Daniel drained more money from the folks, arguments flared, and the cycle repeated. Then the wedding was bumped to summer, and then to autumn.
Do you think your brother will actually marry Emily? Hannah mused, frowning. Seems fishy to me. Dont you think so?
Id just shrug and say nothing. The whole situation had drained me. Even as someone not directly involved, I just wanted it over. Let Daniel get on with it or call it offanything, just be done with it.
* * *
One evening, coming home, I heard shouting again. For the first time in ages, instead of running off, I marched into the room.
When I entered, everyone fell quiet. Mum forced a calm tone, Youre home, Lydia?
I nodded, locking eyes with Daniel.
Youve had enough of us all! I said firmly. Instead of getting a job and buying your own flashy gifts for Emily, youre driving Mum and Dad into debt!
Ill pay it back Daniel muttered.
How? Once youre married, do you think shell just put up with your lazy nonsense? Shell throw you right out!
Shes mad about me. You dont understand women, he spat back.
I understand more than you! And Mum, Dadhow can you put up with this? Kick him out!
Darling Mum started.
No buts. Cant you see hes just stringing you along!
I let loose. At some point, I noticed Dad leave the room. After a few minutes he returned, carrying an envelope.
Lydia! Look here! He managed to catch my attention.
I took it from him and retreated to my room, temper lost for the moment.
* * *
I turned the envelope over in my hands, baffled. It was sealed, unaddressed.
Is this even for me? I wondered.
Dad said so. Still, strange. I sighed, ripped it open.
Inside was a ticket to the theatrefor tonight. Just one.
I turned it over, scratching my head. Who could have sent this?
I paced the room, as I always did when puzzling something out, but nothing came to mind.
Who on earth would invite me to the theatre?
Still at a loss, I started to get ready.
* * *
I arrived at the theatre early and watched people trickle in, pretending I expected to meet someone. Everyone was buzzing about the new production, but I didnt recognise a soul.
Eventually, the ushers called for everyone to take their seats. I sat down, glanced right and left, but no familiar faces.
Who on earth sent this, and why? I wondered.
The play began. I kept half an eye on the performance, distracted, glancing around, waiting.
And then, suddenlya girl appeared on stage, so like Emily it took my breath away. When she spoke, I realised: it really was her.
The first act blew by, then the second.
The show ended, applause thundered around the theatre, until the audience thinned and people began to leave.
What now? I asked myself.
The place nearly empty, I stood to go when a middle-aged woman approached.
Excuse me, Miss, Oksana Williams would like a word. Will you come?
I nodded and followed.
* * *
Lydia! Hello! said a bright, familiar voice.
It was herDaniels Emily, but somehow not. She wasnt plain at all tonight; she was striking.
Hello Emily? Or?
Actually, its Oksana, she smiled.
What about all thatthe banking job, wealthy parentswas any of it true?
Not a bit, she grinned.
So what was the point of this charade? I asked, honestly confused.
Well, your brother hurt my friend, badly. She asked if Id take on a rolepretend to be a dowdy, mousy girl with lots of money. He bit, dumped his girlfriend, and chased me. I strung him along, and here we are.
Right so there wont be a wedding? Was all this just payback?
Oksana shook her head. Of course not. Ill finish with him in a couple of days. He needs a lesson. And it wasnt just a breakuphe shredded my friends confidence, told her she was never good enough for him and he only cared about her familys money.
I felt my stomach turn. Thatll give Mum a heart attack, I muttered.
I hope your parents finally draw the line. He has to change, Oksana said quietly.
I said nothing. So did she.
Ahemso why involve me? Whats with the mystery, the theatre ticket?
She smiled. Well, I needed to give you this, so you could give it back to your parents after I end things with Daniel. If I gave it to them directly, theyd never do anything. Theyd just wag their finger at him.
What is it? I asked, peering at the thick bundle she pressed into my hand.
Money for the gifts he gave me. I told him exactly what I liked, from a shop run by a friend. We had an arrangement.
She handed over a list with prices. You want to check them?
I shook my head. No. I trust you. But how did you make yourself look so unassuming?
Oksana let out a laugh. Easy! Im an actress!
* * *
Oksana kept her promise and dumped Daniel. That must have stungbut who knows for sure?
Naturally, he came back begging the parents for money again. Mum clutched her chest, Dad was seething.
Look what youve done to your mother! Dad shouted. Out! Go on, get your own place, live your own life!
Daniel protested, mumbled, made promisesbut Dad didnt budge: Out. Now. Even Mum wouldnt defend him.
Daniel stormed out in a huff, tossing his clothes in a bag, thinking, perhaps, they would try to stop him. But neither parent said a word.
After he was gone, Dad mumbled, We need to change the locks. Then he glared at me. Dont you dare feel sorry for him! Dont let him back in, either.
A few days later, I handed the money from Oksana to Mum and Dad.
Did it cheer them up? Hard to say, but for me, it felt like a weight was lifted.
Daniel tried now and then to patch things up with themthey wouldnt have it. I spoke to him occasionally, but less and less. His bitterness about life hadnt ebbed. Id find myself wondering: did Oksanas lesson strike home? Did he finally realize his lifestyle was appalling? Has he changedor can a person ever really change, or are they always just the same, no matter what life throws their way?
If theres anything Ive learned, its that sometimes you need to hit absolute rock bottom before you even consider the idea of real change. And for some people, even that isnt enough.
