She couldnt just walk away
In the end Emily tied the knot with Jack, even though her mother, Margaret Whitby, was less than thrilled.
Darling, you dont need a bloke like that. What on earth will you get from your Jack? Margaret sighed. He grew up with his grandma, no parents, and now works in some garage one word: a proper labourer.
Mother, Jack isnt to blame for the fact his parents died when he was a baby, Emily retorted, a hint of irritation in her voice. He finished college, his hands are handy, and he can fix anything.
Handy, he says fiddling with bits of metal, thats all the work hes good for, Margaret snapped. How will you survive on his wages? Youre only in your final year at university, you must finish your degree. We cant all live off my and your dads support.
Emily was used to hearing Margarets tirades, though Jack never heard them he was at work. Margaret kept up her meticulous scheming, hoping to sow discord between the newlyweds. She absolutely despised her soninlaw.
Jack was a serious fellow, a former soldier who loved his Emily more than anything. She felt the same. Even before the wedding he tried to convince her:
Lets move in with my grandma. Its only a twobedroom flat, but its better than your parents fourbedroom house, he said, knowing Margaret could never stand him, though he got on famously with Emilys dad. In the Whitby household, Margaret ruled with an iron fist and a sharp tongue.
If Margaret set her mind on something, shed see it through by any means. Emily knew this, so she stood her ground, ignoring her mothers meddling and mostly relying on herself. Margaret was irritated by Emilys independence, but she also recognised a bit of herself in her daughter some traits were identical, fortunately not all.
Emily knew Jacks mother irritated her, yet she still managed to persuade her husband to stay a while with her parents.
Jack, Im still studying, youre the only earner, we cant live on one salary. Mum will always help, she pleaded.
Fine, well see, Jack agreed.
One payday, Jack stopped by the local supermarket to pick up a few things. Emily hadnt yet returned from lectures. As he emerged, Margaret spotted his haul and let out a shriek.
Who asked you to buy that?
I thought Id get it myself, Jack replied calmly. Emily loves that cheese, and I figured, but Margaret cut him off.
Who do you think you are? Youre nothing around here, no name, no invitation. I tolerate you only because of my daughter, who somehow found a man like you, she snapped, leaving Jack speechless.
Mrs. Whitby, why are you insulting me? Im speaking respectfully, Jack tried to stay polite.
She huffed, Look at him, hell be teaching me next. Listen up: every pound you earn from now on goes to me. Ill decide how its spent even the groceries. Got that?
Why should I hand over my wages? Were a family, Jack protested.
No family here, youll see. Hand over the money, she demanded.
I earned it, and Ill give it to my wife, Jack said firmly.
Then get out of my flat. I dont want to see you again, Margaret snarled.
Jack left. For three days there was no word from him. Emily waited, too shy to go after him, even though she knew his disappearance wasnt random after all, she was expecting a baby.
He doesnt even call, she muttered. He must be at his grandmas, Agnes.
Margaret gave Emily a brief version of the story, conveniently leaving out the part about demanding his wages and kicking him out.
Mom, you told me the whole truth, didnt you? Emily asked suspiciously. Jack couldnt just leave me like that.
Darling, why would I lie to you? Margaret replied. Im not hiding anything.
On the fourth day, with Jack still ignoring her calls, Emily told her mother she was heading to his grandmas house.
Im going to Jacks, she announced.
Where? Margaret asked.
To his place, probably at his grandmas. Where else would he be?
But if he hasnt shown up, maybe youre not needed, Margaret replied.
Impossible! Jack wouldnt just walk away I dont know whats happened between you two, but youre keeping something from me. He couldnt simply vanish.
Of course, my precious Jack is your top priority, while Im the one you cant be bothered with. I pour my money and effort into you both, and you both act ungrateful, Margaret exclaimed.
Mom, Im not blaming you. Thanks for the financial help, but I know you cant stand Jack. Youre always nagging him; he feels like a stuck pigbone, Emily sighed, grabbed her bag and coat, and bolted out of the flat. On the way she rehearsed what to say to her husband.
Dont act like a sulky child. Whatever Mom says, you cant react like that. Hes an adult, after all, she thought. Im caught between a rock and a hard place. Im exhausted with my studies, but I must get to Jacks house.
She convinced herself that Jack had stormed off because of yet another motherly remark, and was now waiting for her to return. Emily decided shed first lay everything on the table, then, if needed, forgive him generously.
What she saw at Agness cottage was a shock. Grandma Agnes opened the door with a sorrowful, guilty look, ushered her in, and spread her arms wide. Jack sat at the kitchen table, a halfempty bottle of whisky in front of him. Emily was stunned. Jack had never smoked, never drunk, and yet here he was
He didnt seem surprised by her arrival; he wasnt drunk, just had a sip. He gestured to the chair opposite. Emily sat, stared into his eyes, and all the rehearsed speeches evaporated, her heart tightening with pity.
This could only happen because of my mother, if Jack suddenly opened a whisky bottle, she thought, then quietly said,
Jack, lets go home.
No, he replied loudly.
Why?
I cant live with your mother. I cant do anything without her instructions. She tells me how to eat, how to speak, what to wear. Soon shell be telling me how to breathe And she wants every penny I earn, which I wont hand over. Were our own family.
So thats it, Emily whispered.
She realised Margaret had omitted that the argument was about the money.
What now? she asked.
I dont know, Jack admitted. We could stay here with my grandma.
But we need money, a babys on the way, and a child needs a lot, Emily protested.
I get paid well, I could pull tenhour shifts, even more, Jack said. But with my studies and your work, we wont be able to raise a child properly. Well need to buy food, cook I cant drop my studies; Im almost done. Lets go back to my parents until the baby arrives and goes to nursery, then Ill find a job.
No, I wont go back to my motherinlaw, Jack declared firmly.
Then maybe we should divorce, Emily blurted, startled by her own words.
If you cant live with me, cant give up your parents comforts and be independent, maybe divorce is the only option, Jack replied sharply.
Emily sprang up, ready to bolt for the hallway, when Grandma Agnes called her back.
Sit down, dear Emily, calm down Ive been listening because I knew this would end badly. Ill help you. You dont have to quit your studies; I still have some strength I dont have a fortune like your parents, just a modest pension, but Ill share what I have. I dont need much. I can cook and watch my greatgrandson, I promise. Just, please, forget the divorce. Move in with us.
Emily accepted the offer. She had thought about it before, and the comfort and help of her parents were tempting, but for Jacks sake she could let go of that. Her own family, her husband, and the unborn son suddenly felt far more valuable.
Jack watched his wife, tense, as he sensed she might take the grandmothers offer. Finally Emily smiled.
All right, Im in. Where else would I be, Jack? she said, and he leapt up, hugging her, kissing her, while Grandma Agnes beamed and whispered a prayer.
Emily endured the barrage from her mother as she packed her things to move to Jacks place. She stood on the landing, hearing her mother rant.
Youll starve with your Jack, live in poverty, and I dont want that grandchild. Hell be as stubborn as his father. Go, get out! Margaret shrieked, spewing enough curses to make Emilys hair stand on end.
Emily fled with a suitcase, placed a large bag on the landing. Jack hurried down, grabbing her belongings as curses followed them.
Good heavens, even my own mother, Emily muttered in horror. Now I see why I left home; I finally understand my husbands plight.
Life settled for Jack and Emily. They lived comfortably with Grandma Agnes, who took care of all the housework. Emily breezed through her pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy little boy, Arthur. Grandma Agnes and the young parents were over the moon. Margaret never spoke to them again and claimed she didnt need the grandson. Their grandfather, however, called secretly to ask about Arthur, and Emily would send him a photo, which made him grin.
When Arthur turned three, he started nursery, despite Grandma Agness pleas that she could care for him. Emily told her,
Grandma, Arthur needs to be with other kids; nursery will help him develop faster. Youll just pick him up afterwards its close by. And you should rest; we still plan on having a daughter, she laughed.
Thus the Whitby family found a happy, if slightly chaotic, balance.
