HE’LL LIVE WITH US
A sharp knock announced that someone had arrived. Molly wiped her hands, slipped off her apron, and went to answer the door. On the threshold stood her daughter with her boyfriend. Molly let them in.
Hi, Mum, Emily kissed her cheek. This is Victor; hes moving in with us.
Hello, the young man said politely.
This is my aunt, Lucy, Emily added.
Lucy Hart, corrected Molly, her voice a little brisk.
Mum, whats for dinner? Emily asked.
Pea purée and sausages, Molly replied.
I dont eat pea purée, Victor muttered, shrugging as he headed to the living room.
Really, Mum? Victor doesnt like peas, Emily whined, eyes wide.
Victor dropped his backpack on the sofa and plumped down. This is actually my room, Molly said, gesturing.
Victor, Ill show you where well be staying, Emily called, pulling him toward the hallway.
Im fine here, Victor grumbled, getting up.
Mum, think of something to feed Victor, Emily urged.
Im not sure. Weve only got half a pack of sausages left, Molly shrugged.
Will do a little mustard, ketchup and some bread, Victor replied.
Alright then, Molly said, heading to the kitchen. Shed once rescued stray kittens and puppies, and now she was feeding a new soninlaw.
She ladled the pea purée into a bowl, added two fried sausages, nudged a plate of salad forward, and began to eat with gusto.
Mom, why are you eating alone? Emily asked as she entered the kitchen.
Ive just come home from work and Im hungry, Molly said between bites. If anyone wants more, they can help themselves or make something. By the way, why is Victor moving in?
How come? Emily tilted her head. Hes my husband.
Mollys fork paused midair.
Howhusband?
Yes, thats how it works. Youre an adult now, Emily; you decide if you marry or not. Im nineteen, you know.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding, Emily snapped.
There was no wedding, we just signed the papers. Now were husband and wife, so well live together, Emily explained, glancing at her mothers halfeaten plate.
Congratulations, Molly said. Why no ceremony?
If you have money for a wedding, you could give it to us. Well find a use for it.
Got it, Molly said, still chewing. Why here?
Because the flat is onebedroom and were four people already.
So you didnt consider renting elsewhere?
Why rent when theres my room? Emily wondered.
Fair enough, Molly replied.
Will you give us any food? Emily asked.
The pot of pea purée is on the stove, the sausages are in the pan. If thats not enough, theres half a pack left in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Mum, youve got a new soninlaw, Emily remarked.
And what? I have to break into a dance for this? Molly retorted, exhausted from work. Take care of yourselves, youve got hands and feet.
Thats why youre still single! Emily shouted, slamming the bedroom door.
Molly finished her meal, washed the dishes, wiped the table, and retreated to her bedroom. She changed into workout clothes, grabbed her gym bag, and headed to the local fitness centre. Shed been independent for years, spending a few evenings a week at the gym and the pool.
Around ten oclock she returned home. Expecting a hot cup of tea, she found the kitchen in chaos, as if someone had attempted to cook and fled. The lid of the peapurée pot was missing, the stew had dried and cracked, a packet of sausages lay open on the counter, and a stale loaf of bread sat without its wrapper. The pan was scorched, its nonstick coating scraped with a fork. Dishes piled in the sink, a sugary spill stained the floor, and the air smelled of cigarettes.
Looks like something new, Emily muttered, stepping inside. Young people were drinking wine and smoking.
Emily, clean up the kitchen. Buy a new pan tomorrow, Molly instructed, walking back to her room without closing the door.
Emily leapt up and chased after her.
Why should we clean? Im a student, I dont earn money for a pan. You think Im fond of washing dishes?
The house rules are simple: eat, then clear your plate; make a mess, clean it; break something, replace it. Everyone looks after themselves. And yes, Im sorry about the pan it wasnt cheap, but its ruined now.
You dont want us to stay here, Emily accused.
No, Molly replied calmly. She had no desire to argue; nothing like this had ever happened with Emily before.
But this is my share, Emily protested.
No, Molly said firmly. The flat is mine; I paid for it, bought it. Youre just on the lease. Dont expect me to cover your problems. If you want to live here, follow the rules.
Ive lived by your rules all my life. Im married now, and you cant tell me what to do, Emily shrieked. Youre old; you should give us the flat.
Ill give you the hallway in the stairwell and a bench outside, Molly retorted. Congratulations on getting married? No one asked me. Youre staying here alone or with your husband elsewhere. He wont live here.
Fine, you can keep the flat, Emily shouted, gathering her things. Victor, were leaving, she yelled to her boyfriend.
Within minutes, Victor stumbled into the hallway, swaying from the alcohol.
Mum, dont worry, everything will be fine, he slurred. Emily and I arent going anywhere tonight. If you behave, well even be quiet.
What am I to you, a mother? Molly snapped. Your parents are still at home, so go back there and dont forget your new wife.
Im about to Victor raised his fist, but Molly seized his hand with manicured fingers, squeezing hard.
Let go of me, Victor gasped.
Emily, what are you doing? she screamed, trying to pull her mother away.
Molly shoved Emily aside and jabbed Victor in the groin with her knee, then elbowed his throat.
Ill press charges, he threatened. Ill sue you.
Hold on, Ill call the police so they can document everything, Molly replied.
The young couple fled the tidy twobedroom flat.
Youre no longer my mother, Emily shouted as she left, and youll never see my children.
What a tragedy, Molly said dryly, Ill finally live for myself.
She looked at her hands, noticing a few broken nails. All this loss is yours, she muttered.
After they were gone, Molly cleaned the kitchen, threw away the ruined pea purée and the cursed pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, Emily appeared at work, gaunt and pale, cheeks hollowed.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
Im not sure yet, Molly said, shrugging. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Emily whispered, saliva gathering. And a bit of salad.
Then lets get the chicken, Molly replied. Youll have to make the salad yourself.
Emily didnt ask any more questions, and Victor never returned to their lives.
In the end, Molly learned that a home is only as stable as the respect people give it, and that kindness, not control, keeps a family together.
