The Games that Play Us Pt. 01

Natalya's face was still screwed up in confusion, and she glanced down at her feet, wiggling her toes within those filthy old socks. "My feet?" she asked, the confusion evident in her tone. "Why you getting all worked up over my feet? I was only kidding."

I climbed up to my knees. "They stink," I said, completely flabbergasted that she had the audacity to do something so humiliating to me.

She cocked her head again, then she lifted one foot to show me the dirty sole. "Well, yeah, I have been wearing them for like a week. I already told you that," she said, then she chuckled and had to cover her mouth. "You just breathed it right in."

I couldn't help but look down at the filthy outline of the footprint on her sole. Merely looking at the dirt and recalling how it had smelled made me shudder. "I don't want to see it," I pleaded, which only caused her to lift the other foot and show me both dirty soles. "Stop it. They're disgusting."

Natalya's eyebrows were on the verge of crossing, but then she mischievously. smirked at me, before she shrugged and said, "Make me." With that, she brought both feet down and placed them upon the print out of the job listing. While looking me in the eyes, she scrunched up her socked toes and tore the paper in two. She clutched the scraps with her toes and lifted her foot to show off her trophy; my good deed scrunched into the dirty sole of her foot. The sight made my stomach turn.

"Just stop it," I said again, before I clambered to my feet and stumbled towards the stairs. "Keep your feet away from me." I couldn't rush up the stairs any quicker, all the while Natalya was chuckling to herself at my odd behaviour.

I hid in my room for the next couple of hours, while the sound of Natalya's game was violently vibrating the floorboards beneath me. I cursed myself for acting in such a ridiculous way; kneeling there and appearing to willingly smell her feet while she used me as a footstool. I couldn't even explain what had happened. It was like I was so taken aback and shocked that she'd actually done that to me that I wasn't able to fully process the humiliation and respond accordingly. At the first inkling of that disgusting, sweaty smell, I'd almost lost control of my body and it was paralysed in shock. I'd come home with the best intentions and genuinely believed I had found her a suitable work position; however, the strong odour of her unwashed feet had broken my composure.

I was too embarrassed to head downstairs after what had transpired, and I instead remained in my room thinking of some way that I could explain everything. She must have thought it odd that I remained kneeling there for so long and allowed her to do that to me. Maybe I could make light of it and pretend it was all a joke, just a way to convince her to wash her socks. If Natalya tested me though, and tried to put her foot anywhere near me, I was in fear of how I'd react. Never in my life would I have smelled a stinky sock before, but now I didn't trust myself after what had just happened.

I decided I would stay in my room until it was time to sleep, but after a couple of hours, my tummy was rumbling with hunger. I tried to fight it, but after the energy I'd used at work, I needed to eat, especially if I was going to be on my game the next day. Creeping down the stairs, I made a mental note to just pretend nothing had happened before. There was no need to even speak to her. I could just leave her to her game since it seemed that was what she cared about most.

However, upon entering the living area, my eyes were immediately drawn to Natalya's feet, because now they were bare. I could see her black-painted toenails from over her shoulder, propped up onto the flipped-out footrest of the recliner. In the dark screen of the television, during a break in her game, I could see her bare soles reflected. I felt my stomach drop as I noted that her soles were also dirty, covered in the same dusty stains that had blemished her socks. The socks themselves had been casually laid onto the armrest of the recliner. There was probably no part of my treasured recliner that now hadn't been soiled by her gross feet.

"What are you doing?" I asked. My intention had been to avoid her, but seeing the way she'd removed her socks and had her dirty, bare feet all over my furniture just riled something inside me. "Could you get your dirty feet off my furniture, please?" I had tried to sound forceful and in control, however, my voice wavered and I came off sounding desperate.

Natalya merely lifted her feet in response and crossed them on the footrest. She said to me without looking back, "Oh, Aunt Heather, please, just quit with all of your complaining, you're honestly worse than mom. If you keep this up then I really am gonna put a sock in it for you."

I wrinkled my forehead. "What does that even mean?"

She glanced from the television momentarily, lifted her bare foot and bent her leg to show me her dirty sole. She then nodded towards the socks next to her on the armrest. "Keep up with this attitude and you'll soon find out."

I flinched in confusion and felt a ripple of anger run through my spine; who was the bloody adult here? Me or her? I was astonished that she was so comfortable speaking to me in such a demeaning way. I mean, surely, she didn't actually mean she'd do something with her feet to me? Did she think because she had just put her foot in my face that it was now fair game to do that whenever she felt like it? I had been taken by surprise, I hadn't willingly allowed it to happen.

I shook off the games she was trying to play. "Okay, enough with this," I said. "We need to have an honest discussion, right now, regarding your future." I thought back to all of my training and techniques I'd used over the years. Finding someone suitable employment was often a means of discovering what truly resonated with them. Since Natalya loved playing games so much, I'd figured maybe that's where her future could lie, though, apparently, I was wrong. Maybe making that assumption had been a mistake on my part, and I should have actually sat down with her and delved into her feelings; put some effort into finding out what she wanted to do. I'd dealt with countless teens in this regard and I always found a way with appealing to their interests and guiding them in the right direction. I clicked off the television and took a seat on the couch, just a couple of feet away from the recliner.

"What the hell are you doing?" Natalya said while looking at the television with wide eyes, clearly annoyed with me. "You've just gone and done it again, fucked all my progress!"

I brushed off such meaningless concerns. "We need to have a chat about your future," I said. "Your mother is worried about you. I spent a lot of time finding that job listing for you and what you did to it was disrespectful."

Natalya's face screwed up. "There's nothing to be worried about and I don't care about my future." With that, she leant over to the coffee table and snatched up the television remote. While I watched, she clicked the television back on and reinitiated the level on her game. Her bare feet dangled down the front of the recliner; her toenails too painted black. I noted the soiled pair of socks on the armrest, almost taunting me having recently been forced into my face. "Now, would you please just be quiet and leave me alone," she said.

I was a bit taken aback, and my eyes shifted between the television and my entitled niece. This was my home and my belongings that she was using to play her stupid game, and I had made it clear that I wanted to have a conversation. I was starting to realise just why my sister was at the end of her tether with her. However, I wasn't Natalya's mother and I certainly wouldn't be putting up with this crap from her. She was so rude to me and she'd even attempted to use me as a human footstool, as if I was nothing more than furniture to her. I scooped the remote back up, and rose to my feet while once again clicking off the television. "That was extremely rude," I said. "I made it clear I want to have a discussion with you."

Natalya almost snarled at me. "You were rude first," she said defiantly amidst a tirade of bratty angst. "I was playing a game and you switched it off. You didn't even give me a chance to pause it."

I rolled my eyes at her making such a big deal of something that was completely irrelevant. Who cared about a silly video game? I looked down at her scowling face, her facial features seeming to twist and warp in a demonstration of her annoyance with me. Her thumbs were latched onto the control pad keys, eagerly twitching and ready to begin playing again. That was certainly not about to happen; it was time for me to take a stand and put a stop to this childish behaviour.

I placed the remote back neatly onto the coffee table, just to demonstrate that this was my house and my dear niece would be living under my rules. I wanted to show that I was comfortable putting it down because I held absolute authority within these walls; I didn't need to hide it. I stood near the coffee table and crossed my arms, challenging her to oppose me. "Your game isn't important," I said. "What's important is your future and you not sitting around all day and wasting your life away. I'm trying to help you, dear, because your mother has genuine concerns about your laziness and general disinterest in being a productive member of society. I didn't realise just how bad things were, but after witnessing your behaviour first-hand, I have to say, I'm astonished. Besides, if you're going to be living under my roof, then--"

"I didn't even ask to be living under your roof," she spat. "My mom sent me here. I was happy back in my own room. If you don't want me playing my game in your home, then take me the fuck back to mine!"

I felt a recoil of shock ripple through my body to the point the muscles in my neck twitched. My mouth hung open completely speechless as Natalya reached over, took the remote and clicked the television back on. While the loading screen of her video game commenced, she adjusted her position so that she was relaxed with her bare feet jiggling around on the built-in footrest. Then, she loaded her saved game and resumed playing as if nothing had happened.

I remained stood there, still speechless, and barely able to mentally process what had just happened. I was completely thrown, as after all of my years of running the roost over my business, none of my subordinates had ever spoken to me in that way, especially when I was in the process of giving them a dressing down. I'm not sure how I would have reacted if one ever actually had; perhaps fired them? I couldn't exactly fire Natalya, could I? In my work I was the picture of control and authority, yet, while my niece freely played her video game, despite me telling her she couldn't, I was but a shell of my authoritative self. I literally didn't know how to respond or act because I'd never actually been in this situation before. Suddenly, I didn't look at my sister with annoyance but instead pity, because she'd been dealing with my unruly niece for years. She'd finally come to me for help, and I'd brushed it aside as if she didn't know what she was doing. Now here I was, out of my comfort zone and hesitant with how to proceed. I was about to reach for the remote control in one final attempt to win the exchange, when Natalya tossed her filthy socks so they landed on top.

Immediately, I retracted my hand and looked at her in shock. "What are you doing?"

Natalya chuckled, then she couldn't help but smirk. "Making sure you don't touch that control, unless you want to get up close and personal with my socks again."

I hesitated while staring at the socks. Of course, I wanted to turn the television back off, but I didn't want to touch those filthy socks again. It was bad enough that I'd already had them shoved in my face, but now I was going to have to touch them and get that horrid smell all over my hands too?

Natalya eyed me, then confident she had won this round, she resumed playing her game. While her thumbs bashed away at the controller, I, overwhelmed with shame, quietly removed myself from the room and left her to it. In the safety of the kitchen, away from the confrontational living area, I poured myself a drink, prepared a ready meal and took a seat. I could hear the sound effects of the game in the next room, loud and rattling through the sound system I'd had installed with my flat-screen television. I'd purchased it with the intention of having somewhere to unwind with a glass of wine after a long and stressful day at work. I'd certainly not envisioned it being used for the waste of time that video games were.

However, there I sat in the shelter of my own kitchen while my television was being used for that exact purpose. Though, that wasn't the part of this whole situation that was unnerving me, it was that I'd been explicitly clear that Natalya wasn't to play video games in my home anymore, and yet, she was doing exactly that. She was defying me in every way possible and I didn't have a clue how to deal with her; I'd tried my best to set her on the right path in life and as a thank you for my efforts I'd received a smelly sock in the face.

I took a sip of my drink and noticed that my leg was trembling beneath the table. The confrontation with my niece had certainly rattled me and I was unsure how to proceed. Despite our age difference, I always seemed to come off second best to her because she cared not for any etiquette. Perhaps sending her home to my sister was the best cause of action. Then I could concentrate on my business and not have to deal with her shit on a daily basis. It was certainly tempting to be rid of her, the only problem was I'd have to admit to my sister that I was incapable of dealing with her daughter. An eighteen-year-old girl that was barely an adult had bettered me in our confrontation? It was a painful reality to admit and my esteemed presence would surely drop in my sister's eyes.

Once I'd finished my meal, I crept through the living room to the staircase, careful not to disturb Natalya from her game; mostly because I was done arguing with her. It was bad enough that I spent my work day dishing out instructions and orders; I didn't want to spend my free time trying to win a tug-of-war in my own house. Of course, I'd also lost this round, and the last thing I wanted was her to rub her victory in my face. I thought it better to avoid any more confrontations that evening. Instead, I disappeared upstairs and left her in complete control of the living room area. Once alone and dressed for bed, I planned out how I was to salvage this situation the next day. We needed to have a serious talk.

The next morning, I came downstairs dressed ready for work and tutted to myself in disgust. The television was still on, again, and the little rabbit character in the video game was still animatedly running against a wall. Natalya was sprawled out over the recliner, her legs spread lewdly while she was snoring away with the controller still in her grip; clearly, she'd fallen asleep mid-game and couldn't even be bothered to head upstairs to bed. I shook my head with revulsion that she'd allowed herself to become such a pathetic specimen. There was so much potential in her and yet here she was, wasting her life away while staying up all night.

Still, as pathetic a sight as she was, the aunt within me still felt some concern for her; she was my niece after all and I'd sworn to my sister that I was going to steer her towards the correct path. I fetched a blanket and covered her up, then after making myself breakfast, I left a croissant and a glass of fresh orange juice on the table next to the recliner. At least I knew she'd be eating and drinking something since apparently it was such a struggle to peel herself away from that stupid game.

While I was liaising with a client that morning, I found my mind wandering to what was going on back home. Was Natalya still asleep? Had she actually managed to leave the living room and go for a shower? Had she appreciated the breakfast I'd left for her? I envisioned returning home later to be greeted by a sheepish niece ready to apologise for her behaviour. Perhaps she'd realise that, considering I'd worked in recruitment for close to two decades, I actually knew what I was talking about and could land her a fruitful career. Did she really want to be a bum for the rest of her life or actually earn her own money? She hadn't reacted well to a low-paying, part-time, position. Perhaps she wanted something that offered more long-term security and made it worth her while? Though, I was starting to get the impression that there wasn't anything I could offer to Natalya that she would readily accept. She seemed to have got herself into a rut that she wasn't willing to climb out of. My sister, being the soft lady she was, had in some ways enabled this sloth-like behaviour. I just needed to be patient and nurture her out of the hole she was in.

During my lunch break, I spent some time fishing through a number of postings and finding any that suited Natalya's admittedly limited skillset. There was one particularly enticing offer: an entry level position at a notable marketing company. One of their clients was a big video game producer, and I could see the job being ideal for Natalya. She'd be working on marketing material focused around video games, which was the one area that I'd actually consider her an expert. I flagged the position so that none of my employees filled it with another candidate and I printed out the literature so I could convince Natalya to take a chance. I was already imagining the phone call from my sister where she was so thankful for me actually getting her daughter's life on track.

I entered my home filled with positivity and wearing an enthusiastic smile, the job advert clutched to my chest. However, I found myself almost walking into a room completely filled with darkness. The only glimpse of light was coming from the television screen. I caught sight of Natalya's silhouette in the recliner, still sat in the same place I'd seen her sleeping that morning. She hadn't even bothered to open the curtains and let some daylight in. The same went for the windows and fresh air; the entire room smelled stuffy, and frankly, of body odour.

I flicked on the light switch, which caused Natalya to pause the game she was playing. She turned with her eyes squinted beneath the blaring light from above. "What are you doing?" she asked, her tone filled with obvious irritation.

I was about to speak when I noticed the empty plate and glass on the table next to her. It seemed she'd enjoyed the breakfast I'd prepared, but hadn't felt the task of getting off her ass and washing the dishes to be a worthy ask of her. "You could have cleaned that up." I nodded towards the table.

Natalya looked momentarily confused, before she too looked at the table and rolled her eyes. "I didn't ask you to do that," she said, before returning her attention back to the television and unpausing her game.

"I was trying to be nice," I said while dropping my coat over the back of the sofa. "I see uou still ate it."

"I did, and thank you," she said while unable to avoid curling her lips in a clear display of annoyance. "You saved me having to get up and make something for myself."

"Glad to be of service," I said sarcastically. I saw the chance to make her aware of just how ridiculous her entitled behaviour was. "Is there anything else you need, your majesty?" I too rolled my eyes.

"Not right now," she said without looking my way. "But I'll let you know if I need anything later."

I paused mid-step, taken aback by the complete lack of emotion in her tone. There wasn't the same sarcasm that I'd offered her, and by all intents and purposes, she sounded like she was being totally serious. Surely, she wasn't that oblivious to realise how arrogant her attitude seemed? She honestly thought I was some servant that she could just shout orders at whenever she felt like it? I was insulted beyond belief, but some part of me thought that perhaps I'd misunderstood her tone and that she was joking. I knew that my sister had been going through an ordeal with her, but maybe that was because she let Natalya get away with too much. My niece probably felt comfortable in her own home doing whatever she wanted, knowing my sister was too much of a pushover to oppose her. However, she was a guest in my home and there was no way that she was going to act like she ruled the place.