George, are you having a laugh?
George, are you pulling my leg? Off to your mothers again? What do you suggestdump her out in the cold, without light or water? I snarled, rummaging through my rucksack. Would you do that to your own parents?
You know my folks dont treat me like that. Theyre aware Ive got a family of my own and they dont rope me into those sort of family games. And your mother Emily began.
Spare me. You understand Ive got to help, George cut in, waving a hand.
I get it. Still, it hurts. Not because the boys will soon forget their fathers name, but because you dont even try to make her independent.
She made the porridge herselflet her eat what shes cooked. And you pick where your family belongs: out in the country, or here.
Emily turned and headed for the bedroom. Half a minute later the corridor door clicked shut. George left. She was left alone with the lads, whom shed promised a family walk in the park later that day.
It was the same old story: the father had once again fled their household, leaving everything on Emilys shoulders.
Two years earlier things had been different. Emily remembered that day clearly. Theyd paid a visit to her parents, taking Margaret Bennett along so she wouldnt be bored. Margaret got on well with the inlaws, so nobody objected.
While they sipped tea and nibbled biscuits under a grapevine canopy, Margarets mind drifted to a brilliant notion that would turn Emilys life upside down.
Oh, how lovely it is here! she exclaimed, breathing in deeply. I should move into a private house myself. At my age, peace, quiet, fresh air
Emilys mother merely smiled. At first she thought Margaret was just daydreaming out loud.
Its nice when youre a guest, the matchmaker interjected. But here, without a husband, theres nothing to do in the house. This isnt a holiday. Theres always something to fix or patch up. And Margaret, no offence, youre not cut out for housekeeping.
Margaret pursed her lips, though she had no real reason to be offended. She wasnt lazy, but seemed perpetually exhausted, even when she did nothing.
Im not planning to run a farm or tend greenhouses. You have chickens and pigs, Ill be content with flowers and trees.
Just sit in the shade and enjoy the view. The grandchildren will love it. Ill buy them an inflatable pool; theyll splash on the grass instead of breathing diesel fumes.
Flowers and trees need care too. Youre constantly in the flat, yet theres nothing to do there. Dust once a week, mop the floor every two days, vacuum, then lie down and rest, Emilys mother said indulgently.
You think we keep a household out of love for labour? the son snorted. In theory it sounds romantic, but in practice a house is a bottomless pit.
Today the boiler blew, tomorrow the roof, the day after the fence. And everything costs money. Thats why were always scrambling.
No worries. Well manage. Im not alone, Margaret insisted, glancing at George.
Emily raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Convincing the motherinlaw was tougher than persuading a starving goose not to eat cabbage.
That day Margaret stopped arguing with the inlaws and smiled enigmatically, like the Mona Lisa. Six months later she proudly showed off her new home, inhaling the strange scent of roses from the neighbours garden. The house was indeed comfortable.
See? You didnt believe me. Im now in your townno footstep away! the motherinlaw declared confidently.
But happiness was shortlived. First Margaret asked her son to help with cosmetic repairs. He lingered for six months, since George only came round on weekends.
Emily grumbled but put up with it. She trusted the reno would finish and life would return to its former rhythm.
When the paint on the fence dried and fresh wallpaper went up, the todo list only grew.
First the electricity went off for nearly two days. The house lost not just light but water too. George drove to his own mothers, who was in a panic, with bottled water and a kettle to calm her.
Everythings fallen apart! And the heats gone No aircon, no shower Its survival, not living, Margaret complained.
Later the motherinlaw took in a stray dog for a spell. It turned out the pooch had kidney issues. The local vet was nowhere to be found, so the animal had to be taken to the citynaturally, George did the driving.
What can we do? The little lads ill At least weve got a guard in the house, Margaret muttered, soothing the dog.
A few days later Emily had to clean the cars interior because the guard had rolled around like a madman. That wasnt all. The dog needed therapeutic food, but there were no pet shops or deliveries in the village, so George became the courier.
I wont leave my mum with a sick animal! You know how she fusses. Then shell blame herself, he answered his wife when she started nagging.
Right, fussy. She feels sorry for the dog, but not so much for people
George spent every weekend with his mother and sometimes squeezed in evenings after work. Once he even stayed overnight at the motherinlaws place.
Ill be back soon, youll be fast asleep anyway, he tried to justify. And Ill be up early to head to work straight from here.
Emily kept hoping the pressure would ease, but it didnt. The motherinlaws roof leaked, the septic clogged, snow fell, grass grew She refused outright to look after the house herself. She couldnt even call a tradesperson.
What if its a scam? Thieves? Theyll strip another three skins George, youre a man, and men are feared. Help me find a decent bloke and stay present, Margaret begged.
Emilys patience snapped when the power went out again, this time late autumn. Fortunately it was brief, but enough to send Margaret into a panic.
Emily, Ill go buy a generator for mum tomorrow, George said matteroffactly.
Emily tensed.
From our pocket? she asked, squinting, knowing it wasnt cheap.
Well you know Mums on a tight rope. Shes spent almost everything from the flat sale and lives on a single pension, George shrugged.
Brilliant. So were funding not only ourselves but also her dream house. George, isnt your mums wishlist getting out of hand?
He grimaced and waved a hand.
Emily, quit it. Their lights are barely working. Do you want her to freeze?
Emily rolled her eyes, yet again forced herself to swallow the absurdity.
Now she sat alone in their bedroom, pondering divorce. After all, the man was always somewhere else.
Were doing alright, arent we? No, divorce is too extreme. I need another plan, something sane, Emily thought.
And she came up with one
A week later Emily rose early, dressed quietly, and was about to slip out when George stirred groggily.
Up already? he rubbed his eyes and yawned.
To my parents, Emily replied calmly, checking herself in the mirror.
You mean now? I promised my mum Id prune the hedges today.
You never checked with me. Ive got my own parents, and they need help too.
But youve got two of them!
Old age doesnt cancel out. From now on well alternate weekends: one for your mum, one for mine, Emily said, stepping into the hallway and pausing.
Ah, right. Dont forget the list on the fridge. Keep the kids lessons and make them pizza for lunch, they asked.
She left, feeling his heavy stare on her back, but didnt look back. On the way to her parents she caught herself not worrying about urgent chores or hurrying anywhere.
The visit was mostly symbolic. Emily rested on the upstairs landing, then read a book on the garden swing, recalling funny childhood lunches, lazily lounging on the bed. Shed forgotten what it felt like to eat properly instead of gulping food while the endless mama! echoed.
There may never be a perfect solution. Perhaps Margaret never sells the house nor resolves the issues without her sons help.
But now Emily will have a slice of personal space she wont surrendera small, yet hardwon victory in the battle for sanity and fairness.
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