Learned That My Mother Made A Will Leaving Everything To My Spoiled Brother. So I Cut All Ties...

sometimes I wonder if everything would have been different if my dad hadn't died that spring morning I was only six but I remember it like it was yesterday dad was making pancakes his Sunday special he always shaped them into funny faces that made me giggle mom was setting the table humming some tune I can't remember anymore Lily princess come help your old man flipped these masterpieces dad called out waving his spatula like a magic wand I jumped off the couch leaving my favorite stuffed bunny behind and ran to the kitchen that's when it happened the

spatula clattered to the floor and Dad clutched his chest his face Twisted in pain everything after that is a blur of ambulance sirens Hospital corridors and Mom crying just like that my father was gone leaving behind an empty house that felt too big and too quiet mom didn't cry for long though she met Richard at some community support group for widowed parents he seemed nice enough tall with kind eyes and a gentle smile that reminded me a bit of dad within a year they were married and he moved into our house I was trying to

adjust to having a new father figure when Mom dropped another bombshell she was pregnant I remember her face glowing with excitement as she told me I was going to be a big sister I was eight when Tommy was born and that's when everything changed that's when mom quit her job as an elementary school teacher Tommy needs me she'd say whenever anyone questioned her decision these early years are crucial for a child's development I wanted to ask about my early years about whether they hadn't been crucial too but the words stuck in my throat instead I

watched as mom's World gradually shrank until it revolved entirely around Tommy she'd forget to pack my lunch for school then act surprised when I mentioned being hungry at dinner oh I'm sorry sweetie she'd say distractedly already turning back to Tommy I was so busy with Tommy's doctor's appointment today it wasn't just once or twice it became our new normal Richard noticed I'd catch him watching Mom with a worried frown as she fussed over Tommy completely ignoring me at the dinner table one evening as I sat alone doing my homework he sat down beside me you

know Lily he said quite quietly helping me with my math problems sometimes people get so caught up in one thing that they forget to see what else they might be missing as Tommy Grew Older the tension in our house became impossible to ignore Richard tried talking to Mom countless times about her obsession with Tommy but it always ended the same way with mom getting defensive and angry I remember one particular evening when Richard brought it up during dinner Tommy was about 5 pushing his food around his plate while Mom hovered over for him trying to

convince him to eat just one more bite Sarah Richard said putting down his Fork we need to talk about this you can't keep hovering over him like this he needs to learn to do things on his own mom's face immediately hardened what are you trying to say that I'm a bad mother that's not what I meant and you know it Richard replied keeping his voice calm but you've got two kids here not one and and a husband too by the way I pretended to be very interested in my mashed potatoes but I was hanging on

every word Tommy needs me Mom snapped he's still so young I was young too I muttered under my breath but nobody seemed to hear me the situation came to a head when Richard suggested enrolling Tommy in Little League Baseball I was sitting on the stairs supposedly doing my homework when I heard them arguing in the kitchen Absol absolutely not mom's voice was shrill do you know how dangerous baseball can be he could get hit by the ball or twist his ankle or for God's sake Sarah he needs to experience life you can't protect him from

everything but mom wouldn't budge instead she enrolled Tommy in art classes at the community center I still remember Tommy's Sullen face as he sat there mindlessly dragging his brush across paper while other kids actually tried to learn he quit after three sessions and Mom blamed the teacher for not understanding her son's creative Spirit meanwhile Richard started spending more time with me maybe it was his way of balancing out Mom's behavior or maybe he just saw a kid who needed someone in her Corner he'd take me to my karate classes three times a week sitting through

every session cheering louder than any other parent when I earned my belts but while I was flourishing under Richard's attension Tommy was becoming increasingly difficult he'd leave his room a complete mess toys and clothes everywhere and Mom would turn to me with that look I'd come to dread Lily be a deer and clean up Tommy's room she'd say not really asking but telling one day Richard caught wind of this Arrangement she's not his maid Sarah he protested he needs to learn to clean up after himself that's when Mom burst into tears pulling out her Ultimate

Weapon I knew it you love her more than your own son how can you treat Tommy this way I watched Richard's face fall saw the fight leave his eyes he looked at me apologetically then raised his hands and surrender fine have it your way he said quietly walking away after that he stopped arguing with mom about Tommy but the look he gave me said everything he hadn't given up on me even if he'd given up on fight in with Mom it was a small Comfort but sometimes small Comforts are all we have high school graduation

day was bittersweet as I stood in my cap and gown scanning the crowd I spotted Richard beaming proudly mom was there too but she kept checking her phone probably texting Tommy's babysitter later that evening Richard called me into his study I've been saving up he said pulling out a folder full of college brochures you can go wherever you want Lily sky the limit before I could respond mom burst in you can't be serious she exclaimed that money should be saved for Tommy's future he's going to need it more Richard's face hardened an expression I'd grown

familiar with during these confrontations this is non-negotiable Sarah I've already made my decision I ended up choosing Marshall University in West Virginia far enough to start fresh but not so far that I couldn't visit occasionally the day Richard helped me move into my dorm mom couldn't come because Tommy had anxiety about her leaving college life was exactly what I needed for the first time I felt free from the shadow of being the less favored child I called home weekly but my conversations were mostly with Richard mom was always too busy with Tommy your brother's going

through a difficult phase Richard EXP explained during one of our calls his voice sounded tired he's hanging out with these kids from the wrong side of the tracks I tried getting him involved in some after school programs but your mother let me guess I interrupted she said you were being too hard on him exactly called me a tyrant for suggesting he might need some structure Richard side she says I don't understand how sensitive he is my visits home became less frequent as Tommy's behavior worsened when I did come he barely acknowledged my existence H up

in his room with his video games the few times I caught glimpses of him he looked pale and angry his eyes glued to various screens after graduation I landed a job at deoe in their Consulting Division I stayed in West Virginia building my career while watching from afar as my brother descended further into his self-imposed isolation during one of my rare visits home I tried knocking on his door Tommy want to grab lunch my treat all I got in response was the sound of gunfire from whatever game he was playing mom passing by in the

hallway just Shrugged he's not feeling social today he's very stressed you know the contrast between our lives couldn't have been Starker while I was pursuing my career goals Tommy was pursuing virtual achievements supporting Ed by Mom's endless excuses Richard's disappointed face said it all but by then even he had largely given up on trying to intervene by 27 I had finally saved enough for a down payment on my own place it wasn't huge just a one-bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood but it was mine the day I got the keys I couldn't stop smiling all

those years of saving of brown bag lunches and saying no to designer clothes had finally paid off you all have to come see it I said during my weekly call home I'm having a housewarming party next Saturday I'll cook dinner Richard I'm even making your favorite lasagna wouldn't miss it for the world kiddo Richard replied warmly mom's voice cut in on the other line oh honey I don't think we can make it Tommy has plans that day plans I couldn't keep the skepticism out of my voice what kind of plans very important ones mom said

vaguely I could hear tommy's video game blasting in the background the day of the housewarming only Richard showed up he brought a potted plant and a bottle of wine your mother sends her love he said but we both knew that was a lie over dinner Richard filled me in on what was really happening at home Tommy now 20 hadn't bothered with college and spent his days either gaming or hanging out with his drinking buddies Richard had tried to help offering him a position at his construction company just as a starting point you know Richard explained

twirling pasta on his Fork everyone needs to start somewhere but Sarah he shook his head Sarah said it would be beneath him can you believe that saidar Tommy was too intelligent for manual labor too intelligent to work but not too intelligent to mooch off his parents I muttered Richard gave me a sad smile I keep trying Lily God knows I keep trying that was the last real conversation we had 2 years later I got the call that changed everything Richard had collapsed at work massive heart attack just like my father by the time I made

it to the hospital he was gone the funeral was surreal mom put on quite a show sobbing dramatically and telling anyone who would listen what a wonderful husband Richard had been we were so happy she wailed how will we manage without him I watched her performance with a mix of disgust and pity her tears weren't for Richard they were for herself I could see the wheels turning behind her grief stricken facade Richard had been the sole bread winner without his income how would she maintain Tommy in the lifestyle to which he'd become accustomed Tommy didn't

even bother to wear a proper suit to the funeral he showed up in wrinkled khakis and a polo shirt that had seen better days he spent most of the service staring at his phone while mom made excuses for him he's processing his grief in his own way standing there at Richard's grave I couldn't help but think about how history had repeated itself another father figure another heart attack another funeral only this time I was old enough to see everything clearly including the fact that Mom tears were more about her bank account than her broken heart

a year after Richard's death I had mostly lost touch with Mom and Tommy what little I knew came from Aunt Linda's occasional calls they're getting by on Richard's savings she told me your mom sold his Chevrolet last month the tools from his Workshop went before that I tried not to care I really did but when Mom's number flashed on my phone one Tuesday evening my heart still skipped a beat Lily her voice sounded smaller than I remembered I need you to come home please something in her tone made me book a flight for the next

day when I pulled up to our old house I barely recognized the place the once pristine law Richard had meticulously maintained was overgrown with weeds paint peeled from the window frames and one of the shutters hung crooked but the house wasn't the only thing that had aged poorly mom opened the door and I had to suppress a gasp the vibrant woman I remembered had been replaced by someone who looked 20 years older than her actual age deep wrinkles lined her face and her hair which she'd always kept perfectly colored and styled showed Stark gray roots

come in she said leading me into the living room the house smelled musty and dishes were piled in the sink a thin layer of dust covered everything this from the woman who used to make me rewash plates if she spotted a single water spot Mom what's going on I asked settling onto the couch a spring dug into my thigh another thing Richard would have fixed immediately she broke down almost immediately we're running out of money Lily my pension barely covers the utilities and the savings she Twisted her hands in her lap they're almost gone what

about Tommy is he helping with expenses mom's face did this complicated dance between embarrassment and defensiveness he's looking for work it's not his fault these employers they just don't understand him the last place wanted him to start at 8:00 a.m. you know Tommy's not a morning person and the one before that expected him to do manual labor with his intelligence I felt my jaw tightening mom and at his age and with no experience he can't exactly be picky about you don't understand she cut me off her voice rising to that familiar pitch that always preceded

a Tommy Defense then abruptly her tone changed Lily we need your help we won't survive without it I hate to ask but you're doing so well in your career I knew what was coming part of me wanted to refuse to remind her of all the times she chose and tommmy over me but looking at her worn face the Trembling Hands the desperate eyes I couldn't how much do you need when she said $1,500 per month I nearly choked that was a significant chunk of my salary but I found myself nodding anyway where's Tommy now I

asked as I prepared to leave already regretting my decision oh he's at a job interview mom brightened slightly of very promising position with a tech company through the window I could see Tommy's bedroom light on and the familiar flicker of his computer screen some things never changed true to my word I set up an automatic transfer of $1,500 to Mom's account every month each time I saw that deduction from my bank balance I told myself it was the right thing to do even if it meant postponing my own plans for a bigger apartment or a

new car I started visiting more frequently though each visit felt like walking into a time capsule Tommy was always there either glued to his computer screen or sprawled on the couch with a beer in hand how's the job search going I'd ask mind your own business he'd snap or sometimes just Grunt and turn up the volume on his game during the holidays I couldn't stand seeing the living room in such disrepair the wallpaper was peeling and there was a water stain on the ceiling that would have driven Richard crazy so I spent my Christmas bonus

hiring contractors to fix it up when Mom sprained her ankle in February I called to check on her oh it's not so bad she said though I could hear the pain in her voice is Tommy helping you he's busy with some online interviews I hired a home health aid the next day the money I'd been saving for a vacation went to cover her wages for the next 3 weeks then came the day I walked into the house and found a stranger sprawled across our sofa she looked like she'd stepped out of a reality TV show

fake nails that could double as Weapons heavy makeup and clothes that left little to the imagination she was scrolling through her phone surrounded by empty chip bags and soda cans who are you I asked though I had a sinking feeling I knew the answer Tommy emerged from his room this is candy he announced my fiance she lives here now Candi didn't even look up from her phone just popped her gum loudly I watched in disbelief as she reached into the grocery bag I just brought and helped herself to the premium cookies I'd bought for mom

nice to meet you too I muttered under my breath later that evening I called Mom to get her take on the situation oh Lily she sounded more animated than I'd heard her in months isn't it wonderful Tommy's finally settling down candi's been such a good influence on him he hasn't gone out drinking with those awful friends in weeks that's because she's drinking all my imported beer at home I thought remembering the empty bottles I'd spotted in the recycling Benin but I held my tongue and he's talking about getting a job Mom continued excitedly candi's cousin

knows someone at a tech startup Tommy says it could be his big break I made non-committal noises while thinking about the dozens of big breaks Tommy had mentioned over the years but Mom was so happy living in her bubble of Perpetual hope that I didn't have the heart to burst it my next visit home started like any other I juggled grocery bags as I pushed open the front door only to stop dead in my tracks the house looked like a tornado had torn through it dirty dishes piled high in the sink take out containers scattered

across every surface and clothes strewn about the living room floor candy lay sprawled on the couch perfectly manicured nails tapping away at her phone screen she didn't even look up as I set down the groceries you know I said my voice sharp you live here rentree eating food that I pay for the least you could do is wash a dish or two she looked up slowly a smirk playing across her heavily gloss lips who do you think you are to come in here giving orders this isn't your house I grew up here I shot back

you're just a guest that's when she laughed a harsh triumphant sound that made my skin crawl oh honey you've got it all wrong this house belongs to Tommy now your mom signed everything over to him there's a will and everything I found mom in the kitchen organizing coupons she never used is it true my voice sounded strange in my own ears did you make a will leaving everything to Tommy she wouldn't meet my eyes at first fiddling with the papers in front of her then something seemed to harden in her expression yes she said flatly

it's true I don't understand the words came out barely above a whisper I'm the one helping you I'm the one sending money every month Tommy doesn't work doesn't contribute anything don't you dare talk about your brother that way mom's voice Rose sharply you don't understand him you never have understand what that he's a parasite that he's perfectly content to live off my money while his girlfriend trashes our home oh stop being so dramatic mom's face Twisted into something I didn't recognize you want to know the truth I never loved you the way I love Tommy

he's better than you in every way that matters and I don't want to see you here anymore the words hit like physical blows all these years I told myself that Mom did love me she just showed it differently that somewhere beneath her obsession with Tommy she cared about me too now I knew better I turned and walked out candi's triumphant laughter following me down the hall 21 years of hoping of making excuses of trying to earn my mother's love all of it ended with the Quiet click of a door closing behind me the drive home

from Mom's house was a blur I don't remember the 4-Hour trip don't remember climbing the stairs to my apartment don't even remember sitting down on my couch but I do remember the Moment of clarity that came as I stared at my phone's banking up the automatic transfer to Mom's account $1,500 every month for the past year my finger hovered over the screen for a moment before I decisively clicked cancel recurring payment for the next next few weeks I threw myself into work trying to ignore the hole in my budget that suddenly felt like an opportunity

rather than a burden I started researching investment options for the money I'd been sending home maybe I could finally start saving for a house of my own a real house not just an apartment then exactly 1 month after my last visit home mom called the money didn't come through she said without Preamble no hello no how are you there must be some mistake with the bank there's no mistake I replied surprised by how steady my voice was I canceled the transfers there was a moment of stunned silence before she exploded you what how dare you

after everything I've done for you I actually laughed at that everything you've done for me like what Mom forgetting my existence forcing me to be Tommy's maid tell telling me you never loved me that's different she was using her familiar Tommy Defense voice you know I was upset but you can't just stop helping us we're counting on that money Tommy and candy are planning a vacation to canun they need a vacation I interrupted my voice Rising Tommy needs a vacation from what exactly playing video games drinking beer let me tell you something mom Tommy doesn't

need a vacation he needs a job how dare you speak about your brother that way you're just jealous because because what because you left everything to him fine you made your choice now he can take care of you you ungrateful mercenary little the rest of her tiate dissolved into a stream of accusations and demands I let her rant for a moment before speaking again goodbye mom don't call me again I blocked her number before she could respond but Mom wasn't done over the next few weeks the messages started pouring in through every possible Channel Facebook

messages about how she was struggling to pay bills Instagram comments about what a terrible daughter I was emails detailing all the sacrifices she'd made for me most of which I couldn't remember actually happening Tommy joined in two sending aggressive text about how I was destroying the family mom's crying because of you he wrote you better start sending money again or else I blocked him too but not before replying here's a crazy idea try getting a job candy even tried reaching out through Linkedin of all places with a long message about how I was breaking my

poor mother's heart and how Tommy was too sensitive to handle the stress of work right now I had to admire her creativity at least it's been 6 months now I don't know how they're doing and for the first time in my life I don't feel guilty about that maybe they've finally realized that Tommy needs to support himself maybe they're still waiting for me to cave in and start sending money again maybe they found someone else to manipulate the truth is I don't need to know what I do know is that the $1,500 I used to

send them every month has gone into a down payment fund for my own house I know that I sleep better at night no longer awakened by Angry messages or guilt tripping calls I know that Richard would be proud of me for finally standing up for myself the other day I drove past a construction site and saw a now hiring sign for a moment I thought about taking a picture and sending it to Tommy but then I just smiled and kept driving their problems aren't my problems anymore finally after all these years I'm free