Everything Happens for the Best
Margaret Wallacemother to Evelynmoulded her daughter in her own image, and Evelyn, eager to earn her mother’s approval, followed her every directive. Margaret saw herself as a strong, accomplished woman and expected her daughter to emulate her path without deviation.
Evelyn, Margaret declared sternly, if you wish to achieve what I have, you must walk the road I set before you. Not an inch astray. Do you understand, and will you remember that for the rest of your life?
Yes, Mum, Evelyn replied obediently.
Evelyn loved her mother and tried her best to meet her expectations; disappointing her was the last thing she wanted. Her mother had always wanted to see her as the picture of perfection, but as Evelyn grew, living up to such standards became ever harder.
A child is still a child, after allEvelyn would get her clothes dirty, break things, trip and fall. But at school, she was immaculate, knowing that if she brought home a poor grade, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe for Margaret.
Evelyn, honestly! A C? Its a disgrace! Have you no respect for your father and me? You need to sort this out immediatelydont embarrass us.
Alright, Mum, she would reply dutifully, trying to reason, But its just one C, by accident
Its not about that, darling. You must outshine everyone else.
Evelyn was anxious, but always set things righther average quickly became top marks, and she eventually graduated with distinction, as if there could be any other outcome. Margaret was pleased when her daughter sailed through into university.
Well done, love, Margaret allowed herself to say once, Im proud of you. But you mustnt stop now.
Margaret ran a construction businessa most unorthodox job for a womanbut she managed everything so firmly that many of her male counterparts marvelled at her iron will. So certain was she that, after university, her daughter would work by her side.
Evelyn, of course, dreamed of freedom from her mothers ever-watchful eyes. She even considered applying to a university further away, but that was never going to happen.
You must remain under my supervision. Dont talk nonsense about moving awaytheres a perfectly good university here. Thats where youll study. Margarets tone left no room for argument.
Evelyn had no answer to that. In her third year, for the first time, she lost her heart. Before then, she had dated boys almost in secret, but nothing serious. Then she met Finna charming, blue-eyed blonde in the same year, just a different group. Evelyn was still at the top of her class, while Finn struggled, particularly with coursework. Once, he stopped her in the corridor.
Evelyn, Im swampedcould you help me with my assignment?
Of course, I will, she agreed, barely able to hide her delight.
From then on, Evelyn wrote Finns coursework, and in return, he gave her affection. They went on walks, caught a film together, lingered in cafés.
Margaret was quick to sense a change and demanded:
So, youve fallen in love?
How do you know? Evelyn gasped in surprise.
Its written all over your face Bring him home. I need to see what kind of chap he is, what feathers hes got.
Evelyn invited Finn over for dinner. Her parents met him, her mother even withheld criticism for once. When he finally left, Margaret analyzed bluntly:
Love? Evelyn, the boy is using you, plain and simple. Hes no intellectual, theres nothing there. What do you even see in him?
Thats not true, Mum, Evelyn snapped back for the first time. Finns ambitious, he loves history, hes good company. Not everyone can be like you. Hes young. He has time.
Darling, hes not right for you, her mother insisted.
Evelyn, for the first time, stood her ground.
Sorry, Mum, but no matter what you think of Finn, Im going to keep seeing him. I love him.
Margaret threw her hands up incredulously.
One day, youll realisehes a non-entity.
Evelyn persisted, and, after graduation, married Finn. She was proud to see her mother proven wrong.
As life would have it, those who struggled through university sometimes leap aheadFinn, no longer the average student, found a prestigious job, while Evelyn worked under the wing of her mother.
Finn already had a flathis parents bought it for him during his studiesand Evelyn was thrilled to finally escape her mothers oversight. But the relief was short-lived: Margaret managed to get Evelyn a job in her own office.
One evening Finn came home and announced:
Evie, Ive been promoted to head of department! Theres a probation, but Ill make it work.
And he didthree months later, the position was permanent. He couldnt stomach the idea of his brilliant wife spending her career under her mother.
Evie, working for your mum, youll get nowhere. You need to take your life back from her. Are you going to spend your whole life cowering? Shes suffocating youshes a tyrant, and you let it happen.
Evelyn felt hurt by his words, but deep inside, she knew he was right. Time passed; Finn stopped criticising, but grew distant, closed off. It suited Evelynat least he didnt nag, and at least he was still there.
Another year crept by, until one afternoon, Finn came in quietly and murmured:
Ive met someone else. I love her. Im leaving you. Shes real, in a way youre not.
For the first time in her life, Evelyn cracked. She shouted, cursed, smashed a plate, hurled Finns phone at the wall, tore his shirtsand then, as suddenly, calmed.
Finn stood by, watching. So you do have fire in youpity I never saw it before, he said, and left for good.
I hate you, Evelyn whispered. She packed a suitcase, rented a flat, and walked out.
She told Margaret nothingshe knew exactly what her mother would say. For a monthmaybe longershe managed to conceal her new reality, but mothers see more than they let on.
Evelyn, whats wrong? You look defeated, theres a deadness in your eyes. Is there trouble with Finn?
No, theres no problem with Finnbecause Finn isnt here anymore.
I knew it! When did he leave?
In April.
And youve kept it to yourself all this time?
Evelyn exhaled. There was no point protesting, as her mother launched into a familiar tirade against Finn and against her.
I warned you, didnt I? At least youre not his maid anymore. Thank goodness there werent any children. Next time, take my advice, understood?
Mum, everything happens for the best, Evelyn said quietly, standing. And, by the wayI quit. Im done with all of this. She walked out of Margarets office, leaving her mother slack-jawed.
Evelyn knew she had to get away, or the endless lectures would continueher mother would never stop.
Not knowing where she was headed, she wandered aimlessly and finally flopped down on a tram bench. At her stop, she stepped out and, distracted, stumbled into a pothole, collapsing with a groan.
Oh, wonderfuljust what I needed, she cursed through the pain.
At that moment, a young man hurried overhe mustve been waiting for the tram as well. He knelt beside her.
Are you alright? he asked, helping her up as she winced in agony.
Does it hurt much?
A lot, she admitted, grimacing.
Alright then, come onhold on to my shoulder. He carried her with ease to his car. Lets get you checked, just in case its broken
Im James, he said. And you?
Evelyn.
The injury turned out not to be a break, just a strained ligament. The nurse wrapped her ankle tightly, gave strict advice, and sent her home. James hadnt left her side and insisted on dropping her off.
Can I have your number? he asked politely. In case you need anything else.
Evelyn gave in, and gave it. The next day, James rang:
Is there anything you need? Im guessing your ankles not much better yet?
Some juice and fruit would be niceand Im out of bread, she replied.
Soon there was a knock at the door. Struggling on crutches, Evelyn opened up. James entered, arms weighed down with shopping bags.
Heavens, theres enough to feed an army!
Well, its a special occasionour acquaintance, after all. Dont worryIll help, or do it all myself. Also, why dont we drop the formalities?
Evelyn laughed, warmth breaking through the clouds. She genuinely enjoyed his company.
James made tea, set the table, heated up some roast in the microwave, and poured the juice into glasses. No winehe made it clear he didnt drink. The evening flew.
Four months later, they married. A year after that, their daughter, Emily, was born. When people asked how shed found such a wonderful husband, Evelyn laughed:
He picked me up off the street If you dont believe it, ask him yourself!
Thank you for sharing this journeymay you always find happiness, against the odds.
