Family Relations
Gran, can I stay with you for a while? sobbed Alice, her voice shaking. I just cant live with him any longer.
Of course you can, sweetheart, stay as long as you like, replied Vera gently, wrapping her arms around her trembling granddaughter. Is he hurting you again?
He is, Alice said with a heavy sigh. But Mum wont let me leave him, because she doesnt want to fall out with his parents. I just havent got it in me to put up with him any longer.
Vera never really warmed to her daughter-in-law, Jane. She found her cold and calculating, always more interested in appearances and social advantage than true feelings, especially anyone elses. Jane had even insisted Alice marry Nicholas simply because his father held some important position.
Is Nicholas hitting you? Vera asked, her voice low.
He is, Alice broke down and began to cry.
Do your parents know? Vera pressed softly.
They know, Alice sniffed, wiping her eyes.
And they still wont let you leave him? Vera was astonished.
Alice nodded. They say Ill embarrass them if I leave, and that its my faultI should be easier to live with. But how can you be easy-going when hes so mean and cruel, Gran? I cant do it anymore.
Then dont. Stay here, Vera soothed, smoothing Alices hair. You stay as long as you need. Ill have a word with your mum and dad.
Left her husband, has she?! Jane shouted down the phone when Vera rang to break the news. Shes to come back straight away!
Dont shout, Vera replied curtly. Alice isnt coming back.
You know how much we spent on the wedding? Jane fumed. His family are respected! Shes just making a fool of us.
Youre the one making a fool of us, but we put up with you, Vera shot back, growing impatient. Ive had enough. Youve heard what I have to say.
Vera promptly hung up. Jane, furious, threw her phone at the wall and cursed her mother-in-law in the foulest way. Vera immediately dialed her son, Jack:
Did you know that scoundrels hitting Alice? she demanded.
Well Jack said hesitantly, I think I heard something, but Im not sure. Maybe Alice is making it sound worse than it is
Are you actually serious or just being thick? Vera snapped. Your daughters getting hit by her husband, and youre dithering around?
What am I supposed to do? Jack replied hopelessly. Hes her husband.
You should go round there and teach him a lesson! she shouted. Let that little tick remember what its like to bully our girl. He should know Alice isnt alonesomeones here to stand up for her.
Leave it, Mum, theyll sort it out, Jack grumbled, irritated.
Typical, Vera sighed bitterly. You sold your daughter out for your own comfort.
Two days later, an entire party arrived at Veras, including Alices husband and parents.
Alice must come home to her husband! Jane announced dramatically at the door.
Alice doesnt owe anyone anything, Vera said flatly. I honestly dont understand you. Shes your daughter, you act like shes a stranger! What kind of parents are you?
Its all down to your meddling! Jane accused. Im not about to ruin relations with Mr. Gregory over her acting up.
Well, perhaps Mr. Gregory should first teach his son not to lay a hand on a defenceless girl, Vera replied, looking straight at Nicholas, who stared at his feet. Jane piped up to defend her son-in-law:
He didnt hit her that hard. Besides, couples have their little scraps. Its nothing.
Jack, do you agree with this? Vera asked her son.
Mum, let them sort themselves out, Jack replied. Alice gets upset very easilyshe needs to change.
Without warning, Vera slapped her son, then gave Jane and Nicholas each a good box on the ear. The three of them gaped at her.
Thats out of love, Vera declared. Just having a bit of fun. Dont like it? Upset? Well, maybe thats just your touchy natures. Now off you go, and work on your characters.
She opened the door and ushered the delegation out. Go on, go on, she chided. And take the little weasel with you. Tell his dad to raise him properly. And Jane, if youre so bent on pleasing Gregory, why dont you marry his son yourself?
Ill never set foot in this house again! Jane screamed as she stomped down the stairs.
Marvellous! Vera called after her. Youre a mediocre daughter-in-law and an awful mum.
When the door clicked shut, Vera rubbed her hands together and called gently to Alice, who had been sitting quietly in the next room, afraid to come out: Oh, Alice, learn to stand up for yourself, love. Life will always throw folks at you that youll need to fight off. Living to suit others is about the worst thing you can do. Youll never get thanks for it.
As you wish, but youd better get your mad mother to stop interfering in our lives! Jane yelled at Jack later that day. What will people think now, eh? Alices marriage is our ticket into the top circles, and if she divorces, thats it! Finished! Do you understand?
And why do you need the top circles? Jack asked wearily. Is there anything we dont have?
Yes! Yes! Jane almost screeched. We dont have enough money, enough status! I want to stand above the grey crowd, and I want people to envy me!
Jack sighed. Her shrieking made his head ringhe just wanted to hide away from her. Recently, she seemed to have lost all self-control. He wanted to shout, Give it a rest! but instead he said, Calm down, please, Ill talk to Mum.
Mum, Mum, Jane mimicked nastily. Pathetic.
Jack quietly walked off. Hed always hated arguments and would sooner give in than stand his ground.
The next day Jack visited his mother.
Dont even ask! Vera said the moment he came through the door.
I wont, Jack replied calmly.
So what brings you by?
Can I stay with you for a while? asked Jack.
Had enough, then? Vera asked with sympathy.
I cant take her rows anymore, Jack sighed. Shes completely lost it.
Its your own fault, answered Vera. You have to defend your own boundaries and stand up for your rights. Instead of putting your foot down, you just keep quiet and go along with everything. Thats why youve become a donkey for them to prod about.
Jack nodded in agreement, and Alice sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. She knew her mother always dominated her gentle, reserved father, who could never stand up to her.
Its a good thing Alice managed to get out of such a relationship in time, Vera said, smiling at her granddaughter. You lot are responsible for your own lives, and you alone should make your decisions. The quality of your life depends on it. Understood?
Alice and Jack both nodded, and Vera shook her head. Still got lots to teach you both.
That very day, Jack packed up his things and told Jane he was leaving her. She responded as she did to anything that didnt fit her master planwith hysterics, smashed crockery, and hurling things at him.
Nicholas rang Alice every day, first begging her to come back, then demanding, and finally resorting to threats. Alice stood her ground. She didnt want to return to that life and, besides, she had new plans for her future.
About a week later, Mr. Gregory himself appeared at their door, booming, Have you all lost your minds? One bolts from her husband, the other from his wife! Are you out of your trees? Get yourselves back home, both of you! And you, Vera, stop encouraging such nonsense!
Alice and Jack hadnt even managed a reply before Vera, hands on hips, squared up to him. And who are you to lecture me about life? Go and teach your own son a lesson on how to behave.
Ive already had words with him, replied Gregory, suddenly less blustering. He wont do it again.
You should have talked with him before, so it never happened in the first place, Vera replied sharply.
Why the drama, then? Gregory pleaded. You want to ruin her life? My boy loves her, hell change! Dont disgrace us before everyone with this divorce, Ill have to spoil her reputation. I could say Nicholas dumped her because she was unfaithfulor lazyor something else.
Dont try scaring me, Gregory, Vera retorted coolly. I could do a number on your reputation toomaybe tell the press you wet yourself in school. Which do you think makes the juicier headline? That your sons such a rubbish husband Alice cheated? Or that a big important man couldnt keep his trousers dry in class?
Gregory turned pale. You wouldnt say that, would you?
Vera used to be his junior school teacher, so everyone would believe her if she told a storytrue or not. Even if disproven later, that sort of tale tends to stick in peoples minds.
Well, I dont know, Vera replied solemnly. Depends how you behave.
For a moment, Gregory felt like a schoolboy again, but he pulled himself together. He was no fool. Alright, I hear you.
Good! Vera said, brightening. What about a little getaway for me and Alice, to heal our wounds? And you tell everyone Alice went along to help look after me.
Gregory thought about that. Despite his lofty station, Vera would always be his first teacherher approach changed for everyone; sometimes gentle, sometimes strict, sometimes using a bit of blackmail.
Fine, Ill sort you both a spot at the best spa in the country, Gregory agreed. Sorry for all this, and for my useless son. Shouldve done better.
Well, do your best, Vera replied. And heres a word for you, Gregorylive by your conscience, not by what others might say. Fairness brings respect in the end.
Gregory nodded silently and left. He kept his promise and booked them in at a top-notch spa. If anything, he respected Vera more after all of thishe always had a soft spot for Alice and regretted his son failed to keep her happy.
The divorce went through quietly a year later. By then both Alice and Nicholas were in new relationships, and it all passed without fuss. Alice remarried and lives happily with her husband and two childrenshe even brought Gran to live with her, just as Gran had once taken her in.
Jack never did divorce Jane, though. He kept on living with his mum.
What I learnt from all this is that theres no peace or pride to be had living your life for others approval. Family is about love and having courage to do what’s right, not just keeping up appearances. If you dont look out for yourself, no one else will. In the end, its standing your ground, not standing in the crowd, that matters.
