A ringtone on my daughter-in-laws phone changed my intentions to help a young family find a flat
I live alone in a lovely one-bedroom flat right in the heart of London. My husband passed away five years ago, and I inherited another two-bedroom flat from my aunt. Its in a less fashionable area, but its very nicely finished. I let it out to some young tenants, a very tidy couple who would come to collect the rent and check on the flat once a month. In two years, I never had a single complaint.
When my son got married, he and his new wife wanted to make their own way, so they rented a place and began saving for a deposit on their first home. I had no objections, even though I planned, eventually, to give them the flat Id inherited, so that they could do with it as they pleasedsell it, refurbish it, redecoratewhatever they wished.
A year after their wedding, they had a son, and with a grandchild in the family, I became even more determined to put the property in my sons name. However, only last week, I changed my mind.
It happened just after I turned sixty. Wanting to celebrate properly, I booked a room at a restaurant and invited plenty of friends and relatives, including, naturally, my son and daughter-in-law.
My daughter-in-law and I usually get on cordially enough; shes quite emotional, prone to dramatic outbursts, sometimes even towards me. Ive always chalked it up to youth and not shouldered it as a burden. But the way she put me on show in front of all my guests made me see her in a completely new light.
My son and his wife came to the restaurant with their baby. Since the busy, noisy atmosphere isnt ideal for a little one, my daughter-in-law told me they’d probably only stay for an hour, which I understood entirely.
When they were ready to leave, my daughter-in-law couldnt find her phone. I went along behind her as she searched, and dialed her number to help her locate it.
A few guests noticed and chuckled, the mood felt slightly awkward, but began to settle. Then, from the windowsill, suddenly erupted an angry snarl, a bark, and a howling dog ringtone! Everyone turned towards the sound. My daughter-in-law, red-faced, raced to the window, grabbed her phone, and silenced the call.
People glanced from her to me, and back again, not sure how to react. My brother quickly took charge, turned up the music, and made another toast in my honour, but, as the saying goes, something had changed.
Throughout the evening, I caught guests muttering and whisperingdebating my daughter-in-laws very original choice of ringtone, which she had set especially for my calls. The next day, I spoke to my son, whod surely heard the barking tone before, but he simply brushed it off as nothing special.
Since then, I havent kept much contact with them, and have decided to delay any decisions about the flat as a gift until I see an improvement in our relationship. At the very least, Id expect a basic apology from my son and daughter-in-law. If they see me as a dog, thats their prerogative.
Sometimes, family life throws up moments that force us to pause and reflect. Ive always believed mutual respect is what truly makes a house a homeand respect, once lost, is not so easy to rebuild.
