Family Ties
Gran, may I come stay with you for a bit? sniffed Olivia, her voice trembling and small. I simply cant live with him any longer.
Of course, darling, stay as long as you need, replied Grace Evans, enveloping her granddaughter in a warm hug. Is he mistreating you again?
Olivia let out a sigh. He is. But Mum wont let me leave him. Shes afraid of offending his parents, doesnt want any fuss. I dont have the strength to go on with him, Gran.
Grace Evans had always harboured a certain coolness toward her daughter-in-law, Helen. Shrewd and icy, Helen prized appearances and advantage far above matters of the heart. Especially other peoples. Shed seen to it that Olivia married Leo only for his fathers position in the council.
Does Leo hit you? Grace asked quietly.
Tears ran down Olivias cheeks. He does.
Do your parents know? Graces eyes narrowed.
They know, Olivia choked out.
And even so, they forbid you to leave him? Grace was dumbfounded.
Yes. They say Id embarrass them, spoil our reputation with the neighbours. And that its my own fault, I should not provoke him. But how can I live peacefully when hes always so cruel? I cant anymore, Gran.
If you cant, then dont, Grace soothed, brushing Olivias hair from her face. Stay here, Ill handle your parents.
What do you mean shes left her husband?! Helens shrill voice filled the sitting room when Grace rang her that evening. She must come back at once!
Dont shout, snapped Grace, voice sharp as flint. Olivias going nowhere.
Do you know how much we spent on that wedding? Helens speech tumbled outdistressed, calculating. His family commands respect, and shes only making us look like fools!
You make us look like fools just fine on your own, and we still put up with you, replied Grace, hanging up. She could almost hear Helens angry shrieking as the call dropped.
Immediately, Grace called her son.
Did you know that little wretch has been hitting Olivia? she demanded of David.
Well, David said evasively, Ive heard rumours, but maybe Livs exaggerating, you know?
Are you daft, or just pretending?! Graces tone was thunder. Your daughters being battered by her husband, and you mumble like its someone elses business?
What do you expect me to do? David sounded confused. Hes her husband.
You ought to box his ears! Grace bellowed. So hell think twice before he so much as raises a hand to our girl! He needs to learn shes not alone in this world.
Best let them deal with it themselves, David replied flatly.
Grace fumed. Youd trade your daughters happiness for your own comfortis that it?
Two days later, a whole parade arrived at Graces house: Helen, David, and Leo, pressing upon the little hallway like stormclouds.
Olivia must return to her husband at once! Helen announced without preamble.
She must do nothing of the sort, countered Grace. Youre her parents, yet treat her as if shes a stranger. Shame on you, honestly.
Its you and your destructive influence! Helen turned accusatory. I wont ruin our standing with Mr. Gregory Barker on account of her tantrums.
Gregory BarkerLeos father, a councilman who chucked entitled smiles like loose change at a fête.
Tell Mr. Barker to make sure his son learns not to hurt defenceless women, Grace said, staring Leo dead in the eyes.
Leo stared at his shoes, but Helen leapt to defend him. He didnt hit her that hard. Lovers quarrel, its nothing serious.
Do you agree, David? Grace shot at her son.
Theyll sort themselves out, Mum, David offered, Liv is far too sensitive, honestly, she ought to toughen up.
And with that, Grace slapped Davids face, boxed Helen about the ears and cuffed Leo for good measure. They stood, wide-eyed and shocked. She announced coolly, All in good fun, see? Just the affectionate tiffs lovers indulge in. Dont like it? Maybe youre just too sensitive. Go home and sort yourselves outand take this useless boy with you. And Helen, if you so fancy Gregory Barkers respect, why dont you marry his son yourself?
Ill never set foot in this house again! Helen roared as she fled down the stairs.
Smashing! Grace called after her. Youre a so-so daughter-in-law, and as a mother, youre a shambles.
As the door swung closed, Grace dusted her hands and called softly to Olivia, whod listened, trembling, from the next room. You see, Liv, you must learn to stand your ground. Lifes full of people you need to fend off, one way or another. Bend over for others, and all youll end up with is a bent back. No one says thank you for that.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in some tumbledown corridor of a dream, Helen was haranguing David. You must persuade your crazy mother not to meddle in our private lives! What on earth will the neighbours think? Olivias marriage is our open door to the top lot, and if she divorces, thats it! Finished!
And whats it to you, really? David was already weary. Dont you have enough?
No! Of course not! shrieked Helen in a fit. Not enough money, not enough status! I want to rise above the dreary crowd, I want envy!
Davids head rang under the shower of her complaints. He wanted to vanish into a wardrobe. Instead he muttered, Please calm down, Ill talk to Mum.
Talk to Mum, Helen mimicked, face twisted. Pathetic!
David retreated in silence, wishing for once to shout back. But it was easier to submit, to slide around conflict, than to assert himself.
The next day he stood on his mothers doorstep.
Dont even ask! Grace barked.
I wont, David replied.
Then what brings you?
Can I stay with you a while? he said, looking down.
She really has worn you down, hasnt she? Grace softened.
Im exhausted by her tantrums, he admitted. Like shes possessed.
Its your own fault, really, Grace said. You never draw lines or defend your choices. If you stand for nothing, youll fall for anything. Thats why everyone walks over you now.
He nodded, and Olivia quietly sat by him, resting her head on his shoulder. She knew her father could never withstand her mothers storm; he was gentle, quietly clever, but overwrought by a woman who craved control.
Thank goodness you got yourself out of such a marriage, Liv, Grace said, eyes gentle. Youre in charge of your own lifeno one else. Only your choices shape your days. Understand, ducklings?
Both David and Olivia nodded as Grace shook her head. Still, so much to teach you yet.
That very evening, David packed his few things and told Helen he was leaving. She responded quite predictablyscreaming fits, smashing crockery, and launching random shoes and vases after him as he exited.
Leo pursued Olivia daily, first with pleas, then demands, and finally threats. Olivia set up her battlements; she wanted nothing of her old life. Shed begun crafting new dreams.
Days rolled past in uncanny succession until, one morning, Gregory Barker himself arrived in a fluster at Graces door.
Have you all lost your minds? One flees her husband, another flees his wife! Mad, the lot of you! Get back to your families, at once! And you, Mrs. Evans, stop encouraging this nonsense!
Grace stood, hands on hips, bold as ever. Who are you to instruct me on life? Mind your own child, Gregory.
Ive spoken to him, hell behave now, Gregory said gruffly, some of his bluster seeping away.
You should have spoken much earlierso hed never have dared, Grace retorted.
Gregory squinted, trying for menace. Why make such a drama, Mrs. Evans? Our boy loves her, hell change. Dont shame us in public. Dont make me ruin your granddaughters reputation, eithera whisper here or there, people believe things.
Graces eyes sparkled, and her smile curved sly and slow. Dont threaten me, Gregory. I still remember your schooldays as I was your teacherI could mention rather more embarrassing things about you than anything you can conjure about my granddaughter. Imagine the school papers: Prominent Councillor Barker, Notorious School Bedwetter. Which tale do you think would be juicier?
Gregory turned ashen. You wouldnt
Grace only shrugged. All depends on your behaviour. If you behave, I wont say a word.
He straightened up, adopted a businesslike air. Very well. Youll have a week in Brighton for you and Olivia, to restore your wellbeing. And Ill tell everyone its for you to be cared for by your granddaughter.
Grace accepted this with a nod. And mind you raise him right, Gregory. Live by your own lights, not the gossip of the lane.
Gregory nodded in stiff agreement and left, though he did, as promised, pay for a little seaside rest. His respect for Grace Evans, always lingering from childhood, deepened irrevocably, and his pity for Olivia, caught in a conniving web, grew as well.
Olivia and Leos divorce came quietly a year later, by which time both partners had moved on to new loves. Olivia remarried, finding contentment with a gentle husband and two lively children. She brought Grace to live with them, as Grace had once brought Olivia to her own home.
As for David, despite everything, he never quite managed to sever ties with Helen. He continued to live under his mothers roof, drifting quietly through her strange, dreamlike house, while outside the world swirled in endless, surreal possibility.
