Dont Stir Up the Past
Lately, Theresa has been reflecting quite often about her life since crossing the threshold into her fifties. She cannot call her marriage happy, and its all down to her husband, George. They married young, in love, both devoted to each other. Yet, somehow, Theresa missed the moment when everything began to change with George.
They lived in the countryside, in the cottage belonging to Georges mother, Anne. Theresa did her best to keep peace in the house and always showed respect to her mother-in-law, who, in return, treated her warmly. Theresas own mother lived in the next village with her youngest son and suffered frequent bouts of illness.
Anne, how do you get along with your daughter-in-law, Theresa? the village gossips would ask at the local shop or by the water pump, or even just along the lane.
Honestly, I cant say a word against Theresa. Shes respectful, knows her way around a household, runs things brilliantly, helps me in everything, Anne always replied with pride.
Hmm, as if wed believe everyones all harmony and sweetness! When was the last time a mother-in-law praised her daughter-in-law? Not buying it, the women retorted.
Well, thats your business, Anne would answer, striding away.
Theresa gave birth to a daughter, Lucy. The whole family was delighted.
Theresa, little Lucy looks just like me, Anne would search for her own features in her granddaughter, and Theresa would laugh, not particularly fussed about whom her daughter resembled.
When Lucy turned three, Theresa had a son, and again the house filled with excitement and busy days. George worked, Theresa looked after the children, and Anne was an immense help. They lived well, perhaps even better than most around, with peace and quiet, and George wasnt a heavy drinker like so many husbands. Some wives would have to drag their drunken husbands home from gatherings behind the village hall, where the men drank themselves into a stupor.
While pregnant with her third child, Theresa heard the gossip that George was cheating. Nothing stays secret in a village, and soon the word spread about George and Cathy, a widow. Her neighbour, Valerie, didnt hesitate to come by.
Theresa, youre carrying Georges third, but hes off fooling aroundcompletely ungrateful! Chasing after other women.
Really, Valerie? I havent noticed anything, Theresa replied, surprised.
Well, when would you notice anything? Two kids, a third on the way, the house, Georges mum, chores. He lives for himself! The whole village knows whats going on. Cathy doesnt even try to hide it.
Theresa was upseteven Anne knew but stayed quiet, feeling sorry for her daughter-in-law. Anne often scolded her feckless son, but George always brushed her off.
Mum, were you there? Women talklet them get on with it.
One evening Valerie dashed in.
Theresa, your George just slipped into Cathys placeI saw it with my own eyes on my way from the shop! Are you going to let him leave you with three kids? March down there and give that shameless Cathy a piece of your mind. Youre pregnant, George wouldnt dare lash out!
Theresa doubted she had the courage for a fight, especially with Cathy, who was tough and quarrelsome, having endured a troubled marriage before her husband drowned in the river after one drinking binge too many. She could hold her own. Still, Theresa thought it over and decided to confront George.
Im goinggoing to look him in the eye, expose him. Hell deny everything, say its all womens talk, she told Anne, who pleaded with her not to go.
Theresa, youre expecting! Spare yourself.
Late autumn, and it was already dark. Theresa knocked on Cathys window and waited. Cathy called through the door.
What do you want, banging on my window?
Open up, let me in. I know George is with youpeople have told me, Theresa called loudly.
You must be jokingIve no intention of letting you in. Go home, stop making a fool of yourself, Cathy laughed, Theresa heard her.
After some hesitating, Theresa turned back. George came home after midnight, tipsy. He drank rarely, but now and then. Theresa hadnt slept.
Where were you? I know youre always at Cathys, drinking together. I came round, she wouldnt open up. You know it too.
What nonsense! George protested. I wasnt there. I was with Simonhes got that limp. We lost track of time in the pub.
Theresa didnt believe him, but kept silent, not one for rows. Besides, what could she do? As they say, innocent till proven guilty. She spent the night awake, asking herself
How can I leave with two children and one on the way? Mums poorly, and my brother has his own family, three kids, and a cramped house. Where would we fit?
Her mother always advised her, whenever Theresa showed her sadness about Georges affairs
Endure, love. You married and had children; you must bear it. Did I have it easy with your father? He drank and made our lives hellyou remember, dont you, how we hid at the neighbours? God called him away, but I managed. Your George may wander, but he doesnt drink constantly and doesnt raise his hand to you. Thats a womans lotto endure.
Theresa didnt entirely agree, yet she knew she couldnt leave George. Anne too soothed her, urging patience.
Where would you go with the children, my dear? The third will soon be here. Well copetogether, we can get through to George.
Her third childanother daughter, Emilywas born delicate, frequently ill. It seemed all Theresas stress during pregnancy affected her. Over time, though, Emily settled, and Anne gave her much attention.
Theresa, have you heard? Valerie rushed in, as usual spreading the village news. Cathys taken in Michael, whose wife threw him out.
Well, that’s her business, Theresa replied, secretly relieved her husband wouldn’t be running off there.
But within a month, Valerie appeared again.
Michaels gone back to his wifenow Cathys on the lookout for another man. Shes like that And watch out for George, love can return any time! Valerie warned.
Life returned to calm for Theresa and George; Anne was again pleased. Still, if a man has a wandering eye, its hard for him to sit still. On the way from the shop, Anne met her old friend, Agnes.
Anne, how did your George turn out like this? Your Theresa is a good wife and motheryou praise her yourself. What more does he want?
Agnes, are you saying George is chasing after women again?
He is, you know. Hes living comfortably with you, all sorted, meals cooked, clothes cleaned. Now hes visiting Vera from the café
Anne didnt mention anything to Theresa, quietly scolding her son, begging him to see sense. But secrets are hard to keep. Eventually, Theresa found out about Georges affairs, again from Valerie. Her tears and pleas changed nothing. George kept going astray, yet he never contemplated leaving home, knowing he couldnt abandon wife and children. He liked things as they werea wife, kids, mother, a settled house, and a mistress on the side for amusement.
Anne finally began telling him off outright, trying to appeal to his consciencebut would a grown man listen to a frail mother? George shouted back, telling her to keep out of his business.
Mum, I work for this family, bring in money, and you both accuse me. You trust gossip over me?
Time passed. The children grew up. Lucy married after studying at college in town, settling there with her husband. The son graduated from university in the city and married a local girl.
Emily is finishing school and wants to go to college in the market town. George has calmed down; he no longer strays, only work and home now. He spends more time on the sofa, his health giving out. He doesnt drink at all nowrarely did before, but now he’s given it up completely.
Theresa, somethings wrong with my heart, it hurts into my back, he moans, Theresa, my knees ache too, wonder whats causing it? Joints acting up? Might see the doctor in town.
Theresa feels no sympathy. Her heart is stone now, after all the tears and disappointments shes endured until George settled.
His health fails, so he stays home and complains, she thinks to herself, let his former flings look after him now.
Anne has passed away, buried next to her husband. George and Theresas home is quiet. Sometimes the children and grandchildren visit, and both parents are delighted. The father complains to the children about his health, even blaming Theresa for not looking after him properly. Lucy brings medicines, fusses over George, and chides her mother
Mum, dont be hard on dad, hes not well, but it stings Theresa that her daughter sides with her father.
He brought it on himself, with his wild youth. Now he wants pity. Im not made of steelI lost my health worrying over him, she tries to explain.
Her son also visits and encourages his father, spending more time with himas men do.
The children seem not to understand their mum, whenever she tries to explain all the pain Georges cheating caused her, that she stayed for their sakes. How could she leave them without a father? How difficult and unfair it was. But what does she hear?
Mum, dont stir up the past, leave dad be, Lucy says, and her brother agrees.
Mum, let bygones be bygones, he soothes her and pats her shoulder.
Though it hurts that the children take their fathers side, Theresa understands. She doesnt hold it against themlife is what it is.
Thank you for reading, for subscribing, and for your support. Wishing you the very best in life!
