Mom had always taught her the "right" way to live. For years, Alice lived under her roof, following the script. But now, she'd had enough; that old itch for freedom was back. Leaving a domineering mother shouldn't have been that hard, especially since they shared a spacious four-bedroom apartment in the city. Why not just split it? Alice would take a three-bedroom place for herself and the kids, and her mother could settle into a nice little studio.
Do you think that's an unfair split? Honestly, it was only right. Alice had two children to think about, after all.
***
There was a time when Alice lived on her own. But she had eventually given in to her mother's persuasion, and they pooled their resources to trade two smaller apartments for one large home. That happened right after her mother caught Alice's ex-husband, Nick, in bed with that snake, Jane. And to think, Jane was supposed to be her best friend. That's how it goes, I guess.
Actually, Alice's life was full of "exes": an ex-husband, an ex-best friend, ex-acquaintances, an ex-lover, and a long list of ex-jobs. But she kept marching forward, never afraid of change. She had just turned fifty-four—the perfect time to start over.
"Mom, I can't do this anymore," Alice said one evening. "I love you, but you're impossible to live with. We're just too different. I feel suffocated here. I can barely breathe."
Her mother's lips thinned into a line of wounded pride. Without a word, she turned and retreated to her room. She's probably going to cry, Alice thought with a pang of guilt. She felt sorry for the old woman. Her mother had been such a beauty once. And now? A sagging jawline, deep wrinkles, thinning gray hair. She looked every bit the old lady.
***
When Alice was born, her mother, Sarah, was only twenty. But there was no "happily ever after" for the young family. Unable to stomach her husband's constant cheating, Sarah had packed his bags, set his guitar next to them, and firmly pointed to the door. Alice had no memory of her father. All she knew was that he had been a musician.
It hadn't been easy for Sarah. She had loved that cheating man deeply, and in a desperate bid to forget him, she had destroyed every single photograph. Alice didn't even know what his face looked like.
At first, the small family lived in a drafty, dilapidated tenement house with primitive conditions. By the age of seven, little Alice knew how to bank a coal fire, and by ten, she was hauling heavy jugs of water from the communal pump.
The neighborhood biddies used to wag their heads in disapproval. "Look at that flighty Sarah! God knows where she's off to now, leaving that poor scrap of a girl to run the whole house." In reality, Sarah was gone from dawn until dusk not for fun, but because she was working double shifts at the garment factory, desperate to make sure her daughter had everything she needed.
Alice's peers didn't like her much. Why would they? She was better dressed than any of them, she didn't hang out with the rough crowd, and she didn't sneak around corners to smoke or gossip. she was an outcast—a "teacher's pet" without the teacher. They always found a reason to tease her, and the easiest target was the fact that she didn't have a father.
One day, a bully named Victor shamed her in front of the whole class.
"If I see my dad heading over to your mom's place one more time, I'm lighting your front door on fire! You hear me?"
Victor's father had indeed visited, but only once. He'd been called over for a reason—to fix the faulty wiring. Sarah had given him tea and paid him for the work, but the man hadn't wanted to leave. He kept winking at her, whispering suggestions, until Sarah finally snapped.
"You get out, or I'll scream so loud the whole block will be at the door!"
Alice had dissolved into frightened tears as the man bolted out the house. Fortunately, he never showed his face there again.
***
A little later, a true miracle occurred. Alice would remember that beautiful spring day for the rest of her life. It was that turning point in the season where it was too warm for a heavy coat but too early to go without a jacket. The sound of melting snow was everywhere, the sun was warm, and the birds were in a frenzy. Alice stood in the yard, sadly watching the other kids play together. They hadn't invited her, of course.
Suddenly, a bright yellow cab rounded the corner. Alice was expecting her mom, but she never expected her to arrive in a taxi. Sarah stepped out, but she wasn't alone. She was with a handsome stranger in a crisp, white naval uniform, carrying a massive teddy bear.
"Sweetie, look! Look who's come to see us. This is your new daddy! Nobody has a daddy like this. He's a Captain!"
The neighborhood kids stopped their game, frozen in place. The old women began whispering frantically. Even the crows in the trees seemed to tilt their heads in surprise.
"Well, would you look at that," one old neighbor croaked. "Sarah's husband finally came home."
No one even remembered what her real husband, the musician, looked like anymore.
The smiling man walked up to Alice, handed her the bear, swept her up in his arms, and kissed her. Take that! Alice thought. Now what do you have to say? See how much my daddy loves me? Just try and mess with me now!
Overnight, Alice became a star at school and in the neighborhood. Soon, "Daddy Mark" was going to take them away to San Diego—to the ocean, the sun, and a new life. Alice walked around with her chest puffed out like a peacock, gorging herself on the treats he brought and believing in the fairy tale. A few months later, Mark headed out to get things settled, promising to send for them soon.
*\ Sarah didn't grieve long. Soon, Alice had a "new" daddy—a jolly police officer named Leo. He gave her toy pistols and promised to teach her to shoot a real gun when she was older.
Then there was Daddy Jim, who taught her how to hike and survive in the woods. Daddy Bill explained that a girl needs to know how to defend herself. Daddy Steve, on the other hand, was incredibly lazy. He didn't want anything to do with a child; he just wanted to spend his days on the sofa.
Whenever a new "daddy" entered the house, Sarah walked on air. She sang, she laughed, she made delicious pancakes for breakfast, and bought Alice gifts. But the moment the man vanished, a dark cloud descended on Alice's life. Her mother would turn on her, calling her every name in the book: brat, parasite, selfish little snake.
"You ungrateful wretch!" Sarah would scream in a fit of rage. "You're just like that deadbeat father of yours. I hate that worthless musician! I wasted my best years on him!"
From then on, Alice learned two things: music was a waste of time, and all men were dogs, ungrateful scoundrels, and liars.
***
Seeking "moral support," Sarah often visited her older cousins. Alice hated going there. They were much older than her mother and quite well-off, which meant they loved to lecture—especially after a few drinks. Alice would never forget their wobbling jowls, their sausage-like fingers covered in gold rings, and their expensive dental work.
"Don't be a fool, Sarah! This is your chance," Aunt Margaret would say, piling another helping of potato salad onto her plate. "This Howard is exactly what you need. The man has money! He'll clothe you and Alice both. You'll be living on Easy Street."
"Stop making faces, Sarah. Margaret is right," Aunt Joan would chime in. "Listen to your family. We wouldn't steer you wrong. Sure, Howard is a bit older, but so what? Where are all those young losers you liked so much now?"
"Oh, I don't know, girls. I have to think about it," Sarah would murmur, draining her wine glass in one go.
Then the singing would start. They actually had lovely, clear voices and could hold a harmony perfectly, but Alice loathed it. They'd sing one soulful, mournful ballad after another until they all dissolved into tears. Alice just wanted to go home.
"You hear me, Sarah is a fool! Still got young men on the brain. She's going to play around until it's too late. That daughter of hers is growing up; she'll be catching up to her soon. And Sarah's still bringing boys home."
The tipsy aunts would exchange meaningful looks, wag their fingers at Alice, and burst into raucous laughter. Sarah would just wave them off, pour more wine, and lament her bitter fate.
When they got home, the interrogation would begin. Sarah would grill Alice about boys. Had anything happened? Had she "let them" do anything? She warned her that if she ever "came home in trouble," she'd throw her out on the street along with the "mutt." Alice, only twelve years old, would huddle in the corner of the sofa and wait for her mother to sober up, firmly convinced that men were nothing but trouble.
***
Eventually, Alice and her mother moved into a comfortable two-bedroom condo. The days of coal fires and hauling water were a bad dream. At her new school, Alice was well-received. She finally made friends, and life took a turn for the better.
She only saw that "Howard" once. He was unpleasant to look at—tall and thin as a rail, wrinkled, with a lingering, oily gaze. He stared at Alice for a long time, grumbled something, and then he and Sarah left. That evening, Sarah returned with her arms full. She brought a white faux-fur coat, a stylish raspberry beret, and long leather gloves.
"Go on, try them on, honey! Your friends will be green with envy."
In her new outfit, Alice felt like a princess. Her mother watched her with admiration, whispering, "A real beauty. Just like I was."
Alice didn't just look like royalty; she lived like it. She slept on silk sheets and spent her evenings soaking in the tub with fragrant bath salts Sarah brought back from her trips with Howard.
It was a fairy tale life. Thank God for mysterious Uncle Howard! And thank God for those annoying aunts who had set her mom up with him.
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. One day, the generous old gentleman passed away. Luckily, Sarah was no amateur. She had managed to squirrel away plenty of cash and jewelry. And besides, there was always another benefactor around the corner.
***
Alice had been named after her grandmother, who died in childbirth. Sarah had been an orphan from the moment she took her first breath. At first, her young, deadbeat father tried to raise her, but he quickly decided he couldn't handle it. So, those two older cousins took her in. They were old enough to be her mother, and Sarah spent her childhood bouncing between Aunt Margaret's and Aunt Joan's houses.
Occasionally, her father's conscience would prick him, and he'd take Sarah back home. But she always ran back to the aunts. They loved Sarah, spoiled her, and dreamed of marrying her off to someone successful. But the headstrong beauty fell for a penniless musician. They lasted two years, and that was that.
"What are you brooding about, Alice?" Sarah asked sweetly. "Don't be sad, I have a surprise. Howard managed to get us a trip before he passed. We're going to Germany! Not just anywhere—West Berlin!"
And so, at fifteen, Alice had her first taste of the world. Then came France, England, and Italy.
While they were in Italy, one of the girls in their tour group convinced the guide to take them to a local club. It wasn't exactly allowed, but the guy agreed anyway. The night was incredible—dancing, music, laughter! A handsome local guy took a shine to Alice. They ended up being pen pals for a long time, which actually got Alice praised at her youth club meetings for fostering "international friendship."
Meanwhile, Sarah successfully executed her plan and found a wealthy new patron. The high life continued. Alice transformed from a shy girl into a sophisticated, spoiled socialite.
***
One night at a gala, Alice met a man named Victor. He was the one who had provided the VIP tickets for her and her mother. He looked vaguely familiar to Alice—perhaps he had been one of the many "daddies" who had cycled through their home, though likely not for long.
Victor was immediately smitten with the young beauty. And so, Alice became the mistress of a very influential man. He treated her like a goddess. By then, the world was wide open. Alice visited Paris, Rome, Milan, and dozens of other cities.
Victor even bought a luxury two-bedroom apartment in Alice's name, paid for a high-end renovation, and furnished it beautifully. The only thing he wouldn't do was marry her. He'd been married for years. He'd never loved his wife, but his father-in-law had been the key to his career. Now he was stuck—shared assets, children, the whole bit.
Time marched on. Alice turned thirty. All her friends had families of their own, getting their kids ready for school. But Alice remembered the lesson: men are dogs, only to be tolerated for their wallets.
The truth was, after ten years, Victor disgusted her so much that no amount of money felt worth it. She would have left him ages ago, but he paid for her trips to Italy—her favorite place on earth. Without those trips, life didn't seem worth living.
Even though she didn't love him, she often cried herself to sleep. Her pride was wounded. She'd given him her best years, and for what? She wasn't the wife. That's just how men are—every last one of them is a disappointment.
To make matters worse, a younger generation was rising, nipping at her heels. Men only seemed to have eyes for these bold, "influencer" types now—with their lash extensions, filler-puffed lips, and willingness to do anything for a follow.
Alice lost interest in life. She stopped making plans. But then, out of nowhere, she met Nick. She fell in love at first sight—something she never expected. Without a second thought, she asked him to move in. Even though he was married, he agreed instantly, walking out on his wife and young son.
Soon, their son, Ben, was born. During the pregnancy, her doctor had warned her about the risks of a first pregnancy at her age, but everything went smoothly. Ben was healthy, active, and bright. Then came Chloe, her father's long-awaited little princess.
***
A few years passed in a blur of domesticity. Ben was five and Chloe was three. On that fateful day, the kids were at their grandmother's while Alice was out shopping. Seeing that the grandchildren were getting fussy, Sarah decided to take them back home early.
"Come on, little ones, let's walk home, buy something yummy, and surprise Mommy and Daddy."
When she walked into the living room, she walked into a nightmare: Nick on the sofa with Jane, Alice's best friend. The coward! Well, life is full of surprises. At least Sarah had walked in first, not the children.
A cowardly Nick tried to pin the whole thing on Jane.
"I didn't want this, I swear. I came home from work and Jane was here. She said she was waiting for Alice. Then she just threw herself at me... I don't know what came over me."
Jane, however, claimed Nick had been hounding her for months, following her and buying her expensive jewelry. And there, glinting in Jane's ears, were a pair of brand-new gold earrings.
***
After the divorce, Alice and her mother traded their two apartments for one large house and started living together. Nick paid child support, Sarah looked after the grandkids, and Alice got a job. Then another. Then another. She never stayed anywhere long, drifting from one place to the next.
At first, it seemed fine. But as her mother aged, her personality curdled. Alice's children were grown now, university students, yet Sarah still tried to control her! She told Alice where to go, what to wear, and constantly nagged her about the house being messy.
The grandkids didn't have it easy either. They were good students, helped around the house, and tried not to upset their grandmother, but nothing was ever good enough for her.
One evening, after a glass of wine, Sarah turned to Alice and confessed, "You know, I'm glad it happened. I'm glad we got rid of that Nick. A handsome guy like that? You would have been miserable forever."
Alice didn't even care enough to argue. Let her say whatever she wanted. She was old. The only thing that mattered was getting the house situation settled.
"I have a feeling it's going to be a battle," Alice told her friend, Irene, one evening. "She won't want to split the house. She picks at me all day long, and I think she actually enjoys it."
Just then, her phone buzzed.
"Yeah, Mom, I'm listening."
A voice shrieked through the receiver:
"Why aren't you home yet? It's almost nine o'clock! I'm waiting, the kids are waiting, and you're out wandering God knows where! Get home, now!"
"Well, Irene, I guess I'd better go," Alice said with a heavy sigh, pulling on her coat. "If I don't, she'll have a total meltdown. She thinks my life is perfect, and she thinks it's all thanks to her. She says without her, I'd be a wreck, just like my 'deadbeat' father. She tells the kids the same thing."
That's how the story goes. Most people her age are thinking about retirement—just waiting for the clock to run out. But Alice was still hoping, still dreaming of one big change. She was only fifty-four. That's not old, right?
"As soon as I sell this place, I'm getting a dog. And we're going to travel together. That's when my life will finally start."
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