– Mom, Dad, meet Ida, my future wife.
Frank’s parents saw their son’s bride for the first time. And, as it often happens, the future mother-in-law did not like her immediately. During dinner, they did not stop asking questions.
– What do your parents do? What kind of education do you have? Do you know how to cook?
Ida courageously answered, but it was obvious that she was worried.
After seeing off the bride, Frank returned home.
– Ida also has a son Ryan, 3 years old. Ryan’s father did not work out, it happens. I think we have enough space for the baby.
Rose’s face twisted. That was not enough, he takes a woman with another man’s child, and they are going to live with them. We have to talk him out of it.
– Son, there are no other girls, where did you find her? Why do you need someone else’s child, you need your own, now feed the extra mouth.
– Mom, I love her, and I treat the child well. I ask you to accept this fact. We will live with you for now, and then we will move out, don’t worry.
There was no wedding, we just got married. Ida and her son moved into Frank’s house.
Ryan was a fat boy. He wanted to eat all the time, which was incredibly annoying for Rose.
– Henry, look how this child eats. He ate almost one pot of pasta with meat. And sugar, how he eats, spoons! You can’t feed someone like that! I’ll hide the sugar!
– Rose, let the child eat, do you feel sorry for him? And Ida cooks deliciously, especially soup, almost like my mother.
– Look, he doesn’t like my soup, but he likes hers. She adds red beets, I can’t stand them. Well, well, husband, you praise your daughter-in-law, huh? Watch, she’ll show herself!
***
– Mom, Ida is in the hospital, something is wrong with her. Can you look after Ryan while I’m at work?
– What’s wrong with her, she’s still young… Okay, I’ll take care of it…
– Mum, you can’t do that to a child!
When my daughter-in-law was discharged, she looked very tired. Rose curiously looked at her papers and turned white.
– Frank, I know what she had, I read in the documents. Not only that she most likely will not be able to have children, but she will not be able to work for a long time. So, why do we need such a wife?
– Needed, mom, you can imagine. Doctors noticed the disease in time and said that everything would be fine, the main thing is to be checked.
In six months Ida became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
– Mom, why is Ida working in the garden, she just gave birth 2 weeks ago, she can’t! And it is hot now, she can not work in the heat!
– Why is she not allowed? In the past, women used to give birth in the field and go back to work.
– Now is not the time, don’t compare. I’m against you sending her to work in the garden now. She needs rest, let her take care of the baby.
– And I don’t need a rest? You know what, son, you brought your wife into the house, so let her work as an equal. Just like her son likes to eat, you don’t have time to cook. I will not feel sorry for her, no one pitied me in my youth. You know how your grandmother chased me, and nothing, I survived somehow.
– And you are taking revenge on her now because your mother-in-law was evil? So don’t be like her. Be kinder.
Rose huffed in frustration. No understanding, and her son is called.
– By the way, your sister called, she’s going to give birth any day now. I will go to them. It will be hard for her at first, she needs help. Who else but a mother will help her daughter.
– So, Ida has to work all day, but my sister can not? Double standards are somehow. Well, of course, it’s her own daughter.
****
– Well, that’s it, we’re moving out. I took a loan, we bought our own house, we will pay it off slowly.
– Finally. At least I will live in silence, because your children are so noisy, my head hurts from their shouting. Will you buy dishes, furniture? Because we have nothing extra, buy your own.
– Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.
15 years have passed
– Son, I feel really bad, and something happened to my head. I can’t do anything, everything falls out of my hands. I need good care.
Do you have a room free, Ryan went to study, maybe I can move to you? Ida works at home anyway, so she could take care of me? Since my father died, I started to fall apart.
– Well, your daughter is your favorite, why can’t she?
– She works, and she should not overwork, she has pressure.
– And my wife is not lazy at home, she sews to order all day long, she has queues, I often cook myself. And whether she wants to.
– Guys, my mother asks to come to us, it’s hard for her alone, she is very sick. What do you say?
– I’ll say no way! Have you forgotten how she used to insult me, reproach me with a piece of bread, and was always unhappy? I remember everything! And now Ida’s all nice? Well, no. She has a daughter, so let her take care of her.
Rose was hurt by the refusal.
– She doesn’t want to? Did I offend her? Yes, I did. Yes, I did. I’ve done so much good for you, fed your family, looked after your child. You’re ungrateful! I knew all my life that she would show herself again! I wish she’d never set foot in my house again! And you too, rag, a wife is more valuable than a mother!
The daughter also refused to take her mother to her place. She came periodically. Frank brought her food, took her to the hospital. And every time he listened to what a bad wife he had, where it is seen that the man does everything himself.
Rose passed away at night. Ida refused to go to the funeral.
– Frank, no offense, but I’m not going. She disliked me all my life, although I did nothing bad to her. And she was always insulting Ryan, reproaching him with the food he ate, hiding sugar. Your father was a wonderful man, he always stood up for us. I am very offended, and with her departure the offense will not go away.
Frank understood his wife’s words. Although it was his mother, but she deserved what she got.
It is sad, of course, that people often offend by word or deed, and then forget about it and demand attention. Not all people are generous and forgive easily. Ida was not such a person, and my tongue would not even rise to condemn her.
Do you easily forgive offenses? Have there been cases when after many years the offense does not go away?
