Youre robbing my sonhe cant even afford a lightbulb.
On Sunday morning, I lay under a blanket on the sofa. My husband had gone to visit his mother to change a lightbulb. But the real reason she summoned her son was, of course, something else:
Son, havent you forgotten its Olivers birthday today?
My husband is quite the spendthrift. His wages barely last a few days. Thankfully, he gives me money for the bills and groceries, but whatevers left is blown on the latest video games and all the gear that goes with them. I dont make a big deal of itId rather let my bloke have some harmless fun than see him down the pub every night or heading off to dodgy nightclubs. Besides, I read somewhere that the first forty years of childhood are the hardest for any man.
Im not telling you all this for sympathy; I just want to explain why my husbands pockets are always empty. I dont have these issues myself. I even manage to save a bit here and there. Quite often, Ill lend my husband money if he gets really stuck. But Ill never lend him any if its for his mum, his nieces, or his sister.
Of course, I remembered it was Olivers birthday, so Id sorted out his gift a week ago. Before my man left for his familys place, I handed him the present and settled down to watch a film. I didnt go with him; theres mutual dislike between me and the in-laws.
They reckon I dont love him because I wont let him splash out on them or babysit his sisters kids. One time, I agreed to watch his sisters children for an hour, but they didnt pick them up for half a day. I turned up late to work, none too pleased, and had the cheek to say so. For that, his mum and sister called me shameless and rude. Every request after that for childcare got a firm no from me. Didnt bother me in the least if my husband wanted to look after his nieceshe enjoys their company as much as I do.
No sooner had my husband left than he was back again, this time with the whole family in tow, nieces and all. His mum marched through the house still in her winter coat and boldly announced,
Weve decided that, since its Olivers birthday, were giving him a tabletthe one he picked himself. It cost two thousand pounds. You owe me a thousand for the present. So hand it over.
Now, I might have bought the lad a tablet, but certainly not one that expensive.
Naturally, I refused to give them any cash. At that point, even my husband had a go at me for being stingy. I just opened my laptop and called Oliver over. In five minutes, together, we chose and ordered the gadget he liked.
He dashed off, beaming, to show his mum, who was still sulking in the hallway. My sister-in-law always seemed to walk off with something that didnt belong to her. My mother-in-law ignored my thoughtful gesture and immediately flew into a rage.
No one asked you to buy anything! You should have just given me the money. Youre with my son, and hes always skintlike a beggar who cant even afford a lightbulb. Give me a thousand pounds now! You know thats his money.
She actually started rifling about in my handbag, which was on the bedside table. I looked at my husband and hissed,
Youve got three minutes to get them out!
Without another word, my husband grabbed his mother and physically showed her the door. Three minutes was all he needed.
So, Im quite happy for my husband to spend his wages on games. Before, his mum was pocketing every penny. Better he spends his money on what he enjoys than have it snatched away by those moochers.
Right now, I cant help but thinkId have been better off marrying an orphan!
