I gave my mother-in-law such a gift, shell be gobsmacked the moment she sees it! Her hands will shake every time her eyes land on it, but she wont ever get rid of it. Shell put it somewhere everyone will see and keep it there. Poetic justice, isnt it? Serves Annabel right, that old bat! In the fifteen years Ive been married to David, not a single kind word from her. Not once! Other mothers-in-law might mutter a compliment through clenched teeth, but not Annabelshe just sits there silently, glaring at me with those dark, beady eyes. I avoid visiting her whenever possibleonly pop in once a year for barely five minutes, just to tick the box, you know? I was ranting to my friend Emily the other day.
Emily nodded along, all in, and not just to keep the peaceher own mother-in-law, Mary, wasnt exactly her favourite person either.
We were having our usual little girls afternoona tradition we kept up every other Saturday since childhood, just the three of us. Im a hairdresser and always do us all up when we get together, though today I had to dash off soon, clients were waiting. Emilys a chef, so she always turns up with an absolute mountain of treatsmy son Eddies name for it.
And then theres our third musketeer, Beth. Shes a nurse and just started working somewhere new. We meant to grill her about it, but the conversation drifted onto mothers-in-law instead.
I just cant stand her! She means nothing to me! If only she werent around I started again.
But Beth, whod been quietly listening, cut in.
And what then, Lucy? Would it really make your life easier? she smirked.
Er probably, I muttered, falling silent. I remembered that morning, carrying my gift all beautifully wrapped, grinning vengefully to myself. Id told Annabel she could only open it once Id left. Take that, I thoughtId ruined her birthday on purpose.
Girls, you wanted to know about my job, right? Beth piped up, changing tack.
We all perked up.
Private clinic? Emily guessed.
Rolling in money now, you lucky thing! I teased.
No, its a hospice, Beth answered quietly.
The room went completely still.
Why? Really, Beth? Isnt it scary? And what about the money? I asked, shaking my head.
You two are obsessed: Money, money. Lucy, I have to say ityoure an idiot, Beth said softly, sadly.
Who, me? Or my mother-in-law? I huffed.
No, you, Lucy! The way you talk and actits cruel. I dont know your Annabel well, but you say shes never been kind to you? Remind me who sold her lovely flat in the city centre, without a word of complaint, so you and David could get a bigger place? Who stayed unfazed, just bought herself a little bungalow on the edge of town? Your mother-in-law, thats who.
When little Eddie got really ill, who took him to that top specialist who saved his life? You know, that doctor happened to be the son of one of Annabels old friends.
And who covered for you after that reunion, when you woke up on an old classmates sofa? Nothing happened, sure, but David would never have forgiven you if hed found out. And who lied for you, said youd stayed at hers that night? Annabel did.
You bite the hand that feeds you. Figuratively speakinghow many times have Emily and I enjoyed the pickles, jams, and bakes Annabel makes for you? You cant tell a tomato plant from a cucumber, and thats all down to her efforts!
Some people just dont say much. They arent good with grand speeches, theyre shy, but they love you with their actions. Others oh, theyll say all the right things but never actually do anything for you! Beth finished, fired up.
Cheers for that, Beth. I thought youd side with me, not call me an idiot! I snapped, getting up in a huff.
But insidesomewhere deep insideI felt the tiniest niggle of guilt. That little creeping feeling, the one that had cheered for me when I plotted my revenge, now listened to Beths words and started to squirm. I wanted to ignore it, but it wouldnt go away.
Emily, whod just scoffed five cabbage pasties in nervous silence (eating was always her comfort), didnt say a word either. This time, she didnt back me up.
In theory, I shouldve stormed out, slammed the door, made a scene. I was ready to do just that. But the guilt, like a nail, pinned me to my chair.
You two forget I havent got a mum, yeah? Been living like this for 15 years now, just like you, Lucy. But youat least youve got your mum, and your mother-in-law. Me, Ive spent all these years aching with longing. Phone in hand, dialling her numberwhich Ive never deleted. I top up her account sometimes for old times sake Call it from the other room, so I see Mum flash up on my screen. I answer, but its just silence. Sometimes I tell her everything, babble about my day, or just cry, tuck myself up in her blanket, pretend shes holding me again.
Honestly, it still burns, that loss. Lucy, Im sorry, but I couldnt keep quiet. Youve got both a mum and a mother-in-law. Why treat Annabel so badly? What gives you the right to look down on her? Remember how you used to call her the country bumpkin?
Heres another question: You do all our hair, youre brilliant, thanks love but whens the last time you offered Annabel a trim? Coloured her hair? Beth pressed.
My guilt suddenly twisted sharply, like a slap across the face. And, against my will, I managed to whisper, Never.
What? You cant be serious, Lucy! Thats just Come on, thats not right. Not fair. My mother-in-laws actually alright, you know. Scratch that, forget what I said earlier. I always bake her cakes and bring little gifts. She loves it, bless! Her hands are all soft and chubby, like a little cherubs! Emily said, breaking into a smile.
Inside, I felt something give waylike the guilt had finished with me, let me go. I finally found the strength to get up and leave.
That evenings images flashed through my mind: Emilys words about her mother-in-laws soft little hands.
Annabels hands are nothing like that. Theyre big, work-roughened, veinyI always mocked them, called them crab claws. Her face is wrinkled, and I secretly called her rotten potato behind her back. Shameful, reallyId never cared to learn a thing about her life.
Yet, every time help was needed, Annabel was always there. David once mentioned hed had two sisters, both ill for years, both gone now. His mum nursed them, her husband, all lost. Her pride and joy was David, her only remaining child, my husband.
And to think, after fifteen years, I still loved him as much as I did in the beginning. Handsome, clever, hardworking, kind.
But hes like that because of the way Annabel raised him! He couldve been a disasterlazy, unfaithful, violent. Not every womans that lucky! And what about mewhy have I never said a single kind word to Annabel? Who stopped me? Why did I keep sneering at her, take out my spite? Idiot! suddenly, that inner voice piped up again, sharper than ever.
I actually jumped in my seat.
Lucy, are you alright? Beth asked gently.
I shook my head, trying not to cry. All those feelings crashed into me. Like a dam bursting after weeks of drought.
Change the subject. Leave now. Id thought thisd be a laugh, but itd turned out all wrong.
Barely audible, I croaked out, How do you find work, Beth?
Their eyesgirls, honestly, Ill never forget them. Theres so much painbut also hope, kindness, and light. You learn a lot about eternity, regrets, last wishes See so many people grieve. There was this young businessman, busy, successful, too occupied to take his mum to the village shed grown up inshed always dreamed of going. She was with us at the end, and when she died, he was on his knees sobbing, Mum, come back, lets go now, Ill buy that house, whatever you want!
Once, an old retired officer came to visit his daughter every day. She had lost all her hair, but he brought her lovely hair clips and combs, said hed braid her hair himself when it grew back, just as her mum used to do. She hoped for a future that would never come, but her dad made it seem possible. When she died, he gave away all her hair clips. I tried to console him, but his eyes were dry, full of pain. He whispered, Shes with her mum now, my beautiful girl. Theyll wait for me on the other side.
Why am I telling you this? Because, Lucyyou have to appreciate what youve got! Some people cry over graves, some are struck by illness, some just waste their lives on petty grievances. Arguments, grudges, pettinessnone of it is worth it in the end, and you can be sure life will remind you of that one day. We think were in control, the masters of our own stories, but were not, Beth finished with a sigh.
Emily, waving a magazine to cool herself, eyed the empty plate. Not a pasty left. Oh wellshed bake more when she got home. She quickly texted her husband that tonights menu was home-cooked comfort food and that his parents must absolutely join themovernight stay and all.
Best dash, emergency family meeting! Ta-ra! Emily chirped, disappearing out the door.
I stood shakily, fumbling through my bag and scattering its contents, which Beth silently helped gather.
We left without another word.
I had errands to run that eveningmy diary was packed. But that little old lady on the other side of town, the one I thought hated me, was at home at that very moment, staring at the gift Id chosen to upset her. If shed done something similar to me, Id be devastated. Birthday ruined.
On a whim, I called aroundall my clients were understanding and I promised them discounts next time. I cancelled everything and drove to Annabels.
Davids phone was off.
My palms were suddenly sweatywhat on earth would David say? It was his mum, after all.
Evening fell as I reached their little bungalow, a welcoming glow from the windows. The chintz daisies on the curtains and the geranium on the sill, once so annoying, now looked warm, homely.
I need to apologise. What should I say? Shouldve brought a new giftbut too late now. Maybe promise to buy something nice next time. I think Ive messed up, I thought, making my way from the gate.
The door was open. In the front room, the table was set with homemade pies, cold summer soup, and Davids favourite filled pancakes. I paused in the doorway, looking first at the table. My husband was chatting with Eddie, who was wolfing down his grans cabbage rolls, both beaming. And there was Annabel, in her blue dress with the lace collar and her signature plait, standing by the wall with two elderly neighbours and a sprightly old gentmore guests, I guessed.
Look at this, isnt it beautiful? Annabel was saying to them, holding up my gift.
She went on, Lucy, our Davids wife, shes like a princessso fair and lovely. Every time I see her, my heart sings. God sends such beauty into the world. Now, with this portrait, Ill always have Lucy with me. The artist captured her perfectly. I cried with happiness! Truly, nothing could make me happier.
Suddenly my cheeks blazed bright pink. I felt that old childhood shame, the same as when I broke Nans vase and blamed my younger brother.
My mother-in-laws birthday present was a portrait. Of me. Id convinced myself that Annabel hated me, never praised me, and that shed hate having to see my face all the time. Id believed this punishment gift would annoy her no endthat shed be miserable every time she saw it. But reality was nothing like that.
Shes so lovely, our Lucy, I sometimes feel shy just being around her. Such big blue eyes, features like something out of a painting. Not like clumsy old meI can never find the right words. I get nervous. Sometimes, when shes staying, I tuck her under the blanket while she sleeps. God took my girls from me too soon. But he gave me another daughter my Lucy, Davids wife. I always tell David hes got a wife worth her weight in gold, Annabel went on, her voice full of admiration and pride.
Try living with that! my guilty conscience cackled and finally, mercifully, disappeared for good.
I didnt even have time to promise myself Id make it up to her. Instead, my son ran to greet me, David stood up and whispered, Whats up? Werent you working late? Mum said youd already been by this morning.
I cancelled. Annabel Would it be alright if I called you Mum from now on? Like my own? Happy birthday! I stammered, voice thick.
Honestly, I wanted to get down and beg her forgivenessjust like that man in Beths story. Kneel before her wisdom and unfailing, patient kindness.
Oh Lucy! You found time for a visit, how wonderful, my darling. Us oldies dont get many surprises. My Lucy, youre here! Annabel said, looking up at me with delight.
The old gentleman nodded approvingly, glancing from me to my portrait, and everyone perked up, laughter and chatter filling the home.
I was so grateful for this little gathering. Grateful that I was here, alive, and well. That my parents were also on their way, bringing more good wishes. That I had a fantastic husband and a lovely son, a kind mother-in-law, and a job I loved. I realisedI really am rich in all the ways that matter.
Come on, lets sit down and eat! Annabel bustled.
Its wonderful! And after, well have our very own beauty day! If anyone fancies a new haircut or a bit of colour, just say the wordId love to do it! I grinned.
That was my gift, toothe best one of all. For everyone.
