“I’ll be staying with you to ensure everything goes smoothly,” said the mother-in-law, handing her suitcase to her son before bustling off to tidy up.
Emily and George had enjoyed a happy marriage for five years. They initially hesitated to have children as they wanted to be fully prepared for parenthood. But as their wedding anniversary approached, they finally made the big decision.
“I’m ready,” Emily smiled. “I really want a baby.”
“I think now is the perfect time!” George responded. He had secured a well-paying job, the apartment renovations were complete, and there was nothing hindering the arrival of their first child. However, getting pregnant wasn’t immediate. They had to undergo tests, see doctors, and even consider alternative therapies, a suggestion from George’s mother, who observed that her daughter-in-law had yet to delight her husband with a positive pregnancy test.
Hearing of their baby plans, Martha began to take an active role in her son and daughter-in-law’s lives. Weekends never passed without her calls and enquiries:
“When’s the good news?”
“Still no luck?”
“You’re doing it all wrong!”
“You need to be taught everything!”
Eventually, Martha visited Emily with an announcement:
“Here’s the address of a herbalist. She expects you tomorrow.”
“Martha, I’m skeptical about this. We prefer sticking to traditional methods.”
“I know all about your traditional methods! You’ll spend a fortune on doctors for nothing!”
“I’m quite religious and won’t go to a herbalist,” Emily replied. Although Martha pursed her lips, she stayed silent, leading Emily to believe the matter was settled. But Martha had another strategy. She regaled George with tales of miraculous problem-solving by the herbalist, insisting on its effectiveness.
George surprisingly quickly backed his mother’s viewpoint and pressured Emily.
“Go on. There’s nothing harmful in it. She’s an herbalist, not a witch. Don’t be obstinate. Mum wouldn’t suggest anything bad,” he insisted, almost forcing Emily to visit the herbalist.
Emily reluctantly agreed, not wanting to cause friction, understanding both her mother-in-law and husband were acting in their best interests.
Emily didn’t take to the herbalist. The woman muttered some incantations, sprinkled her with something, then handed Emily a packet of herbs.
“Take it once a day,” the herbalist instructed.
“Thank you,” said Emily as she hurried off. She planned to discard the herbs in the trash outside the house, but noticing the herbalist watching from the window, she realized she was being observed. Fearing Martha might find out, Emily decided to head home and convince her family she had followed orders. She had no intention of consuming the so-called remedy. Emily placed the packet on a shelf and closed the cupboard.
Despite not using the herbs, Emily conceived about a month after visiting the herbalist. She deemed it pure coincidence, as she hadn’t deviated from the medical treatment prescribed. However, her mother-in-law credited this success to herself, convincing George that she was the reason behind Emily’s pregnancy. Asserting that Emily had heeded her advice, Martha felt entitled to a say in all future decisions.
Martha believed her age and experience meant she should have the final word on all matters, even those unrelated to her. She meddled with advice on everything, from the expecting mother’s diet to her bedtime. Her attention and ‘concern’ reached absurd levels. One night, around midnight, as the couple watched a favorite movie by candlelight, the doorbell rang.
Martha had journeyed across town to ensure Emily was adhering to a proper bedtime routine.
“What’s this?! Restaurant food?!” she exclaimed, barging into the room and stuffing everything from the table into a bag. It included Emily’s beloved sushi and rice noodles.
“Martha, what are you doing?!” Emily tried to grab the last plate of sushi from her mother-in-law, but Martha doubled down, insisting pregnant women shouldn’t eat such food.
“George, why did you let her eat all this? She’s clearly clueless, but what about you? Eating at this late hour is harmful even for healthy individuals!”
“Pregnancy isn’t a disease!” Emily tried to protest, but was drowned out by counterarguments.
George, having eaten his portion, wasn’t particularly bothered by the food’s disappearance. He figured there might be some truth to his mother’s caution against raw fish, considering its potential effects on the baby.
“Alright, Mum. We won’t order this food again. Sorry.”
“Sorry? So, your mother insults me, and you apologize to her?” Emily broke down in tears. George attempted to console his wife, while Martha discreetly left with a bag full of confiscated food.
“Let’s forget about this misunderstanding. You know she’s just trying to help, right?” George tried to reason.
“No. I don’t get it. I hate that she meddles in everything! Other pregnant women crave all sorts of odd things! And I can’t eat what I love?!”
“Of course, you can. I’ll go to the supermarket right now and get you whatever you fancy.”
“Alright. Get me some sushi. Just like those that were on my table before your mother arrived.”
“No. Anything but the sushi.”
Emily fled in tears. The evening was ruined. Just like many others when Martha showed up uninvited to impose her ways in the household. One afternoon, when only Emily was home, Martha stopped by. Emily had left work early feeling unwell. On her way, she felt better, as often happens, and bought herself a yogurt and a pastry. She nearly choked on that pastry seeing Martha waiting at her doorstep.
“Martha?! Why are you here?!”
“George told me you’re experiencing morning sickness,” she said, eyeing the pastry. “No wonder. Eating on the go and the cheapest stuff at that. What’s this? A ham and cheese croissant?! Hand it over!” Martha tried to snatch the pastry, nearly resulting in a scuffle. Their neighbor intervened.
“What’s going on, ladies? Fighting over the last piece of bread?”
“Oh, just a young, inexperienced pregnant woman unsure of what’s okay and what’s not. We’re just joking around,” Martha quickly reassured.
“I know these young ones think they have all the answers…”
The women bonded over stories of their children, while Emily brushed off crumbs and retreated inside, locking every lock on the door. Realizing she’d been left outside, Martha started knocking, but Emily didn’t let her in.
Martha raised quite a commotion, drawing in George, which led to yet another altercation.
And again, Martha left under the ruckus, as Emily cried out for justice. But George dismissed it all, attributing it to raging hormones under his mother’s influence. As the due date neared, the tension escalated, and Martha’s ‘care’ became more suffocating.
Emily’s health began to suffer from the stress, forcing her to confront George.
“George, I know you love your mum, and she loves you… but I can’t stand her in our home…” Emily couldn’t finish her sentence as she heard a key turning in the lock, striking fear since only she and George had keys. “Are we being burgled?!”
But instead of burglars, it was Martha in the hallway with a suitcase.
Emily realized she’d prefer burglars over her mother-in-law.
“How did you unlock the door?” was all she could muster.
“With a key. George gave me one,” boasted Martha. “He worries about you, especially since you wouldn’t let me in. We can’t have that. In your final pregnancy months, it’s essential to have access in case you can’t open the door. Moreover, we decided you need support, both emotional and physical. With the grandchild coming soon, I’ll be helping out. For now, I’m here to ensure everything’s on the right track,” she declared, handing her suitcase to George and marching into the room.
“See, just as suspected. Unhealthy food again. This goes straight in the bin. From now on, I’ll monitor what you eat and drink. I’ve brought over some broth for lunch and a herbal tincture from the herbalist. Drink it now,” Martha commanded in a tone that brooked no argument.
Emily looked at George, hoping for some explanation, but he just smiled and patted her shoulder.
“Mum’s right. It’s for the best, dear.”
