Listen, the fatherinlaw said stiffly to James, we took you into the family, we treat you like one of our own, and you turn down even the smallest favour? Its not right, soninlaw! You ought to honour your wifes parents. What will you do when you need our help?
***
Emily was born just after her mother turned nineteen. The early motherhood became a stumbling block for the young couples plans, and for the first few years Emily was left in the care of her grandmother. While the parents studied, Grandma Harris was Emilys first and most steadfast anchor in the world.
The wedding took place after the daughters birth, but the household truly settled only when Emily turned six. It was then that the parents brought her to their new home in Manchester, enrolling her in the local primary school.
From the outset the new family never clicked. Her father, a respectable clerk, displayed a total lack of interest in both wife and child. His life was a string of latenight outings, affairs, and endless drinking. Her mother, Amelia, disappeared into her work until the small hours. Left to herself, Emily roamed the streets. Inconsistent mealsoften cold and meagreleft a scar; a chronic gastritis took hold. When the pain flared, Amelia would ferry her from one clinic to another, turning the visits into a constant lever of control.
In that house there was no notion of personal boundaries or the right to an opinion. Any wish Emily voiced was cut off at the root. If she tried to stand her ground, a storm of accusations erupted. Her mother declared openly that Emily was an ungrateful wretch.
I try for you, and you cant muster a word of thanks! The suffering youve brought meonly God knows how much she ranted, get out of my sight!
The tension peaked over a seemingly trivial dispute when teenage Emily refused to pose for a nighttime photo session with her parents and their guests. Amelia exploded:
Shameless! How dare you disgrace me in front of people? Change your clothes this instant!
Mum, I dont want to be photographed, Emily protested, Im tired! I have to get up early.
Amelia lunged at her with clenched fists; Robert stepped in to separate them, then told Emily, in a low voice, that they longed for another child but were somehow unable to have one.
If I could, Id throw you out of the house right now! he snarled, a pity we cant have any other children! If a chance ever arose, Id hand you over to a childrens home!
***
Emily learned that saying no was forbidden. Her mother increasingly labeled her worthless and a little ingrate. Only when Emily turned sixteen and a foster sister arrived did Amelias tone soften, and that relief brought a fresh, heavier stress.
Youre still our golden girl, Amelia sighed, watching the foster child fling dishes in a tantrum because she wasnt allowed a computer like everyone else. You never gave us any trouble! Well listen to your father, agree to the guardianship and that will solve everything.
No one knew that at school Emily was beaten and locked in cupboards. She was despised, isolated, and bullied by the whole pack. Emily never complained; to her it seemed pointless. Whats the use if no one steps in?
Emily chose a career in law, the path her parents had pushed, hoping to win their approval. It backfired; they now scolded her for never finding her place.
Why study law? Robert sneered, youll end up on the factory floor anyway. You have no talent! Maybe theyll take you somewhere else
Emily endured in silence, dreaming of cutting the cords that bound her. She was exhausted.
***
When Emily married James, her parents staged a prewedding tirade, accusing her of selfishness, of derailing their plans, and of borrowing money from them. In truth she had borrowed a modest sum, wanting to contribute to the day. Meanwhile Amelia never missed a chance to unload her own problems onto her daughter.
Do you realize how much effort weve poured into you? Amelia demanded when Emily tried to refuse another favour.
I understand, Mum, but James and I are trying to stand on our own feet, we have our own concerns, Emily replied cautiously, Mum, we simply dont have the time!
What concerns? Your concerns are ours too! Your husband should understand that, Robert interjected, and we arent asking much. Just pick up the groceries, drop them at the restaurant, mind the younger sister while were at the celebration.
Dad, James works late and has an important meeting tomorrow, Emily tried to object.
A meeting? More important than family? Have you forgotten how hard it was to raise you? Your illnesses, your unbearable temperament! Amelias voice rose.
Mum, you speak of my illnesses that appeared while you were busy with work and other matters. I dont remember you ever actually raising me, Emily said, bitterness in her tone.
Ingrate! You dont know what it means to be a parent! If it werent for us, youd still be on the streets! Amelia shrieked, youd be starving at Grandmas!
Mum, Im grateful, but Im not obliged to spend my whole life serving you! We only ask for a sliver of personal space, Emily sighed.
Personal space? You just got married and already think of yourself! We gave you a home, we raised you! Robert pressed, and now you dare to refuse?
Mum, you have no claim over the flat we share, Emily replied, hinting that the mortgage they were paying together was their own.
If youre so independent, why cant you find a decent job? Why are you flitting about in shady contracts? And why havent you repaid us for your education? Robert snapped, a lowgrade jab, we funded your schooling. Wheres your gratitude?
Emily turned to her fatherinlaw:
Dad, can you at least stop backing her in this nonsense?
Emily, dont start, Robert said calmly but firmly, Mums right. We only ask a little. Your husband should know his place. Nothing will happen to him if he drives us around. Were your family.
James isnt a taxi! He doesnt have to ferry you! Emilys voice cracked with hysteria.
Have you lost your mind? How dare you raise your voice at your father? Amelia stepped forward.
James, who had been silent until then, could take no more:
Enough! Stop shouting at her! I married your daughter, I took responsibility for her. Whats it to you? I never promised to be your servant!
Who are you to tell us what to do? Robert roared, you married my daughter, we took you into the family, and out of gratitude you ought to help us!
I love Emily, and I want her happy. Since the wedding youve given us no peace, James said firmly, either we live our own lives, or shell have no contact with you!
Emily looked at James, then at her parents.
Emily, you cant! Youll betray us! Amelia hissed, youre our daughter! Weve given you everything
I remember, Mum, Emily whispered, clenching her fists, I remember everything you did to humiliate me, to beat me. I remember you saying you wanted another child. I remember
Ingrate! Amelias voice rang like a bell.
No, Mum. Im an adult with my own family. James is right: well live our own lives. You can stop calling if you learn to respect our decisions.
The first days of that socalled freedom were tense. The parents called, threatened, tried to blackmail with silence, but Emily and James held fast. Emily also resolved to deny her father any chance of reproach by repaying the parents for her education. The couple scrimped on everything, eager to erase the debt.
The hardest part was surviving Emilys breakdowns. Defending her right to live forced her to confront years of psychological pressure. James was her rock, her steadfast cliff.
Well manage, Sweetheart. Well get through this!
And they did. It took a year for them to settle the account the parents had inflated to half a million pounds, even though the actual tuition was half that amount. Once the money was paid, Emily cut off all contact. Her parents, still nursing their grievances, made no move to reconcile. Their anger at the ungrateful daughter lingered like a damp fog over a London morning.
