You know, Ive always tried to raise my son so that, above all else, he respects womenhis grandmother, me, his wife someday, his daughter if he has one. Honestly, I think thats one of the best traits a man can have: real respect for women. My husband and I made sure to give our son a solid upbringing, a great education, and everything he could possibly need to set himself up for a bright future. We werent planning to help him out any further, but in the end, we decided to buy him a two-bedroom flat. He had a steady job and was paying his own way, but he just couldnt quite pull together enough for somewhere decent to live.
But do you know what? We didnt give him the flat straight away, and we didnt even tell him wed bought it. Why? Well, because he was living with a girl. Hed been seeing this girl, Emily, for about a year, but wed never met her familywhich always felt a bit odd to me.
Later on, I found out that Emilys mum actually used to live down the road from one of my friends. And that friend told me something that really put me on edge. Apparently, Emilys mum had thrown her husband out of the house as soon as he started earning a bit less than usualcan you believe it? And thats only the start of it. Not long after, the mum started seeing a married man, but he was well off and kind to her daughter, so I guess that counts for something in her mind. As for her Dad Well, Emilys grandma wasnt much better. Shes also having an affair with a married man! And to top it off, she drags her daughter and granddaughter out to her cottage in the countryside every weekend to lend a hand with the chores. Because of all this, my sons already had more than one argument with his future mother-in-law.
But what really worries me is how the mum and grandma seem to be turning Emily against her father. Its clear as day she cares deeply for her dad, but thanks to these two, her relationship with him is on the rocks. And just to add insult to injury, Emilys decided to drop out of university altogether; she says its a mans job to support the family. Sure, I agree a man should provide for his familyIve done everything I can to make sure my sons ready for thatbut doesnt she need a safety net? Whats she meant to do if life throws them a curveball and he cant work? Hows she supposed to help him then?
Oh, and just between us, Ive put that flat back in my name, because I know my sons a bit of a soft touch, bless him, just like they say. Technically, anything bought before a wedding isnt split by law if theres a divorce, but Emily seems sharp enough that she could probably leave my lad with nothing but the shirt on his back if she really wanted.
