Theres no need to say it, really, its all my fault! sobbed my friends sister. I could never have imagined something like this would happen! And now, I havent the faintest idea what to do next. I dont even know how to get ahold of this mess so I dont make a complete fool of myself.
Many years ago, my friends sister, Beatrice, had married.
After the wedding, it was decided the newlyweds would live in the husbands family home, together with his mother. His parents had a spacious three-bedroom flat in Bath, and he was their only child.
Ill keep one room for myself, the rest is yours promised the mother-in-law cheerily. Were all sensible folk here, so I daresay well manage just fine.
We can always find our own place later if we must her husband, Charles, told her then, reassuringly. I see no harm in giving it a try, all of us under one roof. If things prove too close for comfort, we can always take a rented flat somewhere
So they did. But, as it turned out, living together was a much greater ordeal than any had expected. Both daughter-in-law and mother-in-law made valiant efforts, but each day the situation grew worse. Little grievances built up, nerves frayed, and quarrels became almost routine.
You told me if we couldnt bear it, wed move out! she cried one evening, all tears.
Now, now, we havent got to that yet, have we? retorted his mother dismissively. These are just trifles, nothing to pack your bags over.
Exactly one year after the wedding, Beatrice discovered she was expecting, and soon she bore a healthy baby boy.
It so happened that the birth of the grandson coincided with the period when the mother-in-law had just left her old job and, being a woman approaching retirement, she hadnt managed to secure employment elsewhere. Employers simply werent interested in hiring someone of her years. Thus, Beatrice and her mother-in-law found themselves cooped up together all day, every day, neither able to escape even for a few hours, and the household atmosphere soured steadily.
Charles simply shrugged and listened to the complaints, as he was the only one bringing in any money at the time.
Were hardly in a position to leave my mother alone now, for she hasnt a penny of her own, and I cant just abandon her. Nor can I afford a mortgage or rent for us while also helping out my mother. If she finds another job, then well start looking for our own place!
But Beatrices patience, understandable as it once seemed, began to run out. In a spell of desperation, Beatrice gathered her things and her sons and moved back to her mothers house in Oxford. When she left, she told Charles she would never set foot in his mothers flat again. If his family meant anything to him, she said, hed better do something.
She was completely convinced that Charles truly valued his family, and would at once try everything to bring her home. But how mistaken she was!
Now, more than three months have gone by, and Charles has made no attempt whatsoever to reunite with her. He remains at his mothers place, speaking to his wife and son via video calls after his day at work and visiting them at his mother-in-laws on the weekends.
Charles now enjoys the attention and care of two women: his mother and his wifehe receives comfort from both, while in practice having to take little real responsibility for his child. Hes managed to wring the best of everything! And as for the mother-in-law, she seems hardly worse off for itlife carries on much the same for her.
But Beatrice is far from content in this situation. She still dearly loves Charles, though she knows his behaviour leaves much to be desired.
What did you expect when you walked out? Charles asks her. You can come back whenever you wish.
It seems quite unlikely that Beatrice will leave her mother and attempt to rent her own flat. On maternity leave, with very little money of her own, she simply doesnt have the means.
Is this truly the end for the family?
What do you supposedoes she even have the slimmest chance of returning with her dignity intact to her mother-in-laws home? Or has she lost her place for good?
