Taught a Lesson to My Husband, Mother-in-law, and Sister-in-law
Wheres my supper, Alice? Im asking you: wheres the food?!
Alice didnt even turn her head toward her husband. She sat at the edge of the settee, gently rocking a tightly-wrapped bundle from which a muffled grunt could be heard.
Shh, Rosie, she whispered. Youve only just quieted down. I spent half the day at the surgery, then the chemist, then…
I dont give a toss where you were! her husband, Richard, marched into the room, still in his coat. I work. I provide for you and the child!
I come home and expect a hot supper on the table, not your sour face and that endless racket.
What have you even done all day?
Ive been caring for your daughter, Alice looked up at him. Shes got another rash on her cheeks.
The doctors are clueless, so Ive had to find ointments myself.
Have you once asked how shes feeling?
Why should I? Shes screaming, so shes alive. Youre her mother you sort it out.
Its your duty to ensure my comfort. Why else did I marry you?
To scoff frozen pies and be kept up every night?
You married me because it was easy, Alice retorted. And I married you only because everyone kept nattering: Its time, its time.
Well, here it is. This time.
Richard curled his lip, went over to the pram standing in the corner, and gave the wheel a savage kick.
The pram rolled into the chest of drawers with a thud.
The baby in Alices arms screamed and set off wailing anew.
Shut her up! Richard roared. Or I cant answer for myself.
Just a year ago, Alices life was unrecognisable from this.
She used to turn heads: sharp dresser, clever, always with her own plans for the weekend.
Richard had seemed the perfect suitor: charming, ambitious, always sure of himself.
They were on again, off again, dramatic spats of jealousy and just as dramatic make-ups all for their circle to see.
When Richard proposed, Alice hesitated, but her parents insisted.
Alice, how long will you wait around? her mother chimed in, serving her trademark scones. Youre twenty-seven.
Richards reliable, and he comes from a good family. And youre planning on a flat together. And what about children? Ever thought about wholl take care of you when youre older?
Mum, whats that got to do with anything? I love working, and Ive just started a new project.
Work is just dust, her father grunted, not once looking up from his newspaper. A woman without a family is like a tree without roots. Youll dry up and not even notice.
Richard loves you. All couples settle down eventually.
Alice gave in. It was a weakness shed remember on every sleepless night that followed.
The wedding was grand, the flat purchased on mortgage, and pregnancy descended upon her out of a clear blue sky.
Everything unfolded far too quickly. No sooner had she begun to think of herself as a wife than she became a vessel for new life.
Shed expected a son, pictured them at football and him inheriting her calm and reasoned ways.
But the scan said, Its a girl. Something inside her crumbled.
Labour was a nightmare: complications, endless drips, white corridors stinking of disinfectant and despair.
When she was finally discharged, Alice felt as if she had been glued together, and badly at that.
She gazed at that tiny being in the cot and felt nothing but a dull resentment.
Why does she cry all the time? shed ask her mother, whod come to help out.
Colic, love, bear with it. We all had to. Youll bear it. Shes hungry.
She wont feed! Im in agony, Mum!
Then youre not trying hard enough. Youre a mother now, forget what you want. Only what must be done matters.
Meanwhile, Richard had checked out. For the first fortnight, he pretended to be a devoted father, but quickly tired.
He hated the smell of the baby, hated the mess of muslins, but most of all, he resented that Alice was no longer his own personal geisha.
***
Mum called, Richard stood in the kitchen, watching Alice try to stir a near-empty pot with one hand, balancing a fussy Rosie with the other. She says Charlottes in tears again.
Charlotte Richards elder sister by three years, married five years, no children.
Every time she spotted Alices posts or heard anything about the baby, shed be in a state.
Am I supposed to apologise for having a child now? Alice flung the spoon down.
You ought to be more modest. Mum says you rub her nose in your motherhood on purpose.
And, by the way, Mum says youre a terrible housewife. Dust on the skirting boards, Alice.
Your mother hasnt set foot in here for a fortnight, Richard. How would she know about the skirting boards?
She can sense it! Richard slammed his hand on the table. And shes right. Look at yourself. That robes filthy, and your eyes are bloodshot.
You look like some farm woman.
If you helped me, if you once got up at night with her…
I work! he bellowed. Can you get that into your thick skull? Im the breadwinner.
Your job is to manage the house and the child.
By the way, were off to your parents at the cottage on Saturday. They called say the baby needs fresh air. Mine are coming too.
I dont want to go to the cottage. Its freezing, the waters no good to bathe her, and your mother will be whispering about me behind my back with my mother.
Dont care what you want. Parents said its needed. Bags packed, eight sharp. None of your moaning.
***
At the cottage, things only worsened. Alices parents, thrilled with their new titles of Nana and Grandpa, nearly wrenched the baby from her arms.
Alice, youre holding her wrong! her mother called from the arbour. Support her neck! For goodness sake, who wraps a baby like that? Give her here!
Just leave me alone, Alice snapped, striding away to the far end of the garden.
Richard made a point of ignoring wife and daughter, sitting with his father-in-law chatting about car repairs, and only fanned the flames when his mother took a jab at Alice.
Oh, Alice, whats that on her cheeks? Another rash? his mother, Mrs. Thompson, squinted at the pram. Neglectful, you are. Probably eating the wrong things.
If only our lovely Charlotte had a baby shed be the most devoted mother. Shes ever so careful…
Well, let Charlotte have a baby, then; whats stopping her? Alice shot back.
Mrs. Thompson pressed her hand theatrically to her chest.
Richard! Did you hear that? She mocks your poor sisters troubles!
Richard rushed over, grabbed Alices elbow, and squeezed hard.
Apologise to my mother. Now.
Let go, youre hurting me!
I said apologise! Getting too big for your boots, are you?
Alices parents hovered by, but instead of supporting her, her father snapped:
Alice, mind your manners with your mother-in-law. Richards right show some respect.
Thats when Alice understood: she was on her own. Everyone was against her.
A husband who saw her as a maid, parents who valued public opinion over her happiness, and a mother-in-law intent on ruining her marriage out of spite.
***
The breaking point came a week after their return to town.
Her daughter was in pain with her tummy, Alice hadnt slept in forty-eight hours.
When the baby finally drifted off, Alice slid to the kitchen floor, resting on the cold linoleum, eyes closed in exhaustion.
The front door slammed. Richard returned from work in a particularly vile mood.
Why are there bin bags in the hallway? was his greeting.
Alice said nothing. She didnt have the strength to part her lips.
Am I speaking to myself? he barged into the kitchen, catching her leg with his foot. Get up and take them out. Now.
You do it, she managed, voice strained. I cant go on. My backs in agony, and I need just one hours sleep, Richard. Please.
Oh, cant you? he grabbed her by the collar of her dressing gown and hauled her up.
The fabric ripped.
Look at her, the princess is tired. Others pop out five kids and work the fields, but youre falling to pieces.
Their daughter, disturbed, began to cry again. Grunting in fury, Richard stormed into the nursery.
Again? That din again? he marched over to the crib and shook it violently. Shut up, will you!
The baby choked on her scream, terrified.
Alice charged in, trying to push Richard away.
Dont touch her! Leave her alone!
Shes made my life hell! Richard raised his hand and struck Alice across the face.
She slammed into the wardrobe, the back of her head catching on the edge.
Her vision darkened. More frightening still, Richard wasnt finished.
He advanced on the cot again and, with malice, pinched the babys tiny leg.
The baby shrieked as Alice had never heard before.
In that instant, something snapped inside Alice. Self-pity, exhaustion, her apathy toward the child all vanished.
Only rage remained.
Alice seized a heavy porcelain figurine another ridiculous gift from her mother-in-law and without thinking, stepped forward.
Do it again, she hissed, raising her hand. Touch her again and Ill cave your head in.
Get out.
Richard was stunned.
Youre threatening me, woman? In my own flat!
The flats ours bought during marriage, Alices voice was slow and clear. Mortgage paid with my maternity and your bonuses, and cleared early with my parents help. Half is mine.
But right now, I dont care. Leave, before I ring the police and have your violence recorded.
Theres a mark on my face, Richard. And the baby will have bruises.
You might not go to prison, but Ill ruin you so thoroughly youll be working to pay solicitors until youre old and grey.
Alice left the nursery and called the police.
***
The proceedings took ages. Richard tried bringing in his mother and sister, who called and wrote to Alice, threatening and jeering, but Alice refused to reconcile she simply blocked their numbers.
When her own parents arrived, hoping to make peace, Alice wouldnt even let them through the door.
Either you take my side or forget my address.
Your son-in-law raised a hand to your newborn granddaughter. If thats normal to you, we have nothing to discuss.
Her father fidgeted, her mother wept, but after seeing the babys bruised leg, they fell silent.
Both admitted there was no excuse for cruelty to a baby.
Alice didnt just file for divorce; she went to Richards office. Calm, collected, with a folder of documents.
She made no scene, simply presented the security head an old friend of her fathers with footage from the baby monitor camera that Richard himself had installed before the birth.
It showed everything including the incident in the nursery.
Richard was asked to resign by mutual agreement. Reputation meant everything in that firm, and a scandal of this sort was unwanted.
Mrs. Thompson took to her bed with her blood pressure, and Charlotte, terrified Alice might post the footage online among their many mutual acquaintances, suddenly fell silent and stopped sending spiteful messages.
***
Now, Alice lives in peace. Theres not always enough money, but she never complains.
Richard surrendered his half of the flat for child support, which suited Alice fine.
His family immediately forgot the childs existence, and her father never visits his daughter.
To the women Richard meets now, he claims hes never been married.
