I am worthy of a managerial position, and I wont settle for just anything! Edward replied to his mother.
Edward, could you please go down to the shop and tidy the house afterwards? asked his mother.
Im busy, he grumbled.
For years, Sarahs communication with her son had dwindled to an endless stream of, I wont do that, Ive got no time, and maybe later. But that afternoon, she decided to try again.
Edward, Im snowed under. Ive too much work to do. Youll have to go to the shop yourself, or else youll just be eating yesterdays leftovers for dinner.
I dont see why youre making such a fuss, Edward snapped back.
He slammed the door so hard the plaster nearly shook loose. Any attempt to persuade him to help around the house ended in absolute failure.
Teenagers are hard work. Its the most difficult age, everyone knows that, but Edward was well past his teenshe was over thirty. Sarah drew a deep breath to steady herself, grabbed her coat, and headed out to the grocers shop, wishing she didnt have to, yet knowing they needed something to eat.
On her walk, she reflected on where shed gone wrong. It was her fault that Edward had grown so brazen and idle. Imaginea man of thirty-four whod never truly worked. As a child, shed given him everything, never refused anything, always her best for him, but she hadnt allowed him to make decisions for himself. The result was total unwillingness to work; he wouldnt even go shopping for her.
When Sarah set about preparing dinner, she was running on empty. Shed had such a taxing day already, and there were still those reports to finish.
Stew? You know I cant stand it, Edward complained, pushing his plate away. You could at least make mashed potatoes and sausages, or bake a pie.
I havent the energy for pies or frying sausages, Sarah replied wearily.
Mum, you do know everyone gets tired! Im dizzy from staring at my computer all day, trawling job listings and sending out CVs. But do I complain? he retorted.
Sarah could barely restrain herself from yelling. She knew exactly how her son looked for work: each morning hed open a job site in his browser and pretend to be frantically busy. Each evening, the same charade. All this time, hed only sent out two CVs, both to the largest firms in Birmingham, repeating the process every six months and then waiting, satisfied, for an answer. Edward would accept nothing less.
Maybe you should consider something else? Sarah pressed, barely keeping the irritation from her voice.
What do you mean by something elsedo you want me to unload lorries or work the till? Im grateful for your support, Mum! Edward stood up, ignoring the untouched stew, and feigned offence and humiliation as he always did, simply to keep her from pestering him for a while.
He enjoyed staying home, never having to work. It was the life he was accustomed to! Hed never wanted a job. He knew full well he wasnt going to land a managerial role, yet kept applying to those two grand firms just to justify staying at home. But this time, Sarah wasnt going to relent.
I will never work unloading lorries and I wont sit on a till. Ill only accept a managerial jobor nothing at all! Edward declared stubbornly, leaving his mother to stew.
Was this deliberate? Of course it was; he knew hed never get such a position.
Ive had enough. You dont work, and you wont help around the house! Sarah said, voice trembling. I dont care what job you take, because I believe any honest work deserves respect. I just want you to start doing something.
After their argument, Sarah retreated to her room and sat by the window, staring at the fading light. She felt utterly foolish, battling a sense of having failed as a motherpressuring her son too much, perhaps, yet deep down she knew she was right. He needed to find strength within himself and forge some independence. Didnt he see it?
Reflecting on those days now, with years gone by since, Sarah can still feel the ache of worry and hope twined together, wishing Edward would simply take that first uncertain step towards standing on his own.
