– Isabella, hi!
The mother-in-law’s voice in the phone was excited. She called in the middle of the day, when it was the peak time at work.
-Hello, Mom! What happened?
Isabella started calling her mother-in-law “mom” right after her wedding to Anthony. Her husband’s mother insisted on it.
-Tell me, how did Anthony go to the doctor? I am very worried.
Isabella feverishly recalled whether her husband was going to the doctor. And if he did, what was his complaint… Isabella did not understand what her mother-in-law wanted.
Oh, yes! A week ago, they hung new curtains in the bedroom, after which his back suddenly ached. Ointment and massage did not help. Anthony decided to go to the doctor, and apparently told his mother about it.
The memory helpfully slipped a picture of yesterday’s conversation with the man, when he said that he had made an appointment for two hours.
-“Yes, Anthony has not been to the doctor yet, he has an appointment at two o’clock. As soon as he leaves, he will call you, I promise.
The mother-in-law sighed sadly.
-“I’m so worried about him… I can’t reach him. His phone is off.
Isabella knew that Anthony was indeed out of the area at this time. No, he had not specifically warned her about it. She just usually knew his schedule and understood when Anthony needed to turn off his phone. They often discussed each other’s work.
-Don’t worry, he’s out of the area now, but he should be back in touch in half an hour.
Isabella tried to reassure her mother-in-law, who, in fact, had no reason to worry.
-“Well, okay… Then call me and tell me what the doctor said,” the mother-in-law said a little disappointed, “And you know what…
Pause.
-What?” Isabella asked impatiently.
-“I don’t like Anthony turning off his phone in the middle of the day. I know he has a job to do… But… Isabella, you know Anthony is a public figure, he’s always in public.
-So what? – Isabella even laughed, realizing where she was leading her mother-in-law.
-Well, it’s not funny! It’s not a joke! You have to watch your husband, remember! Sometimes literally.
-Mom, I’m sorry, I’m at work, we’ll discuss this later, okay?
Isabella quickly ended the unpleasant conversation. Of course, the words of her caring mother-in-law did not touch her. But the residue… A small such residue remained.
She and Anthony had a young and happy family. They loved books, good movies, they loved to travel by car to different cities, they visited thousands of kilometers away. They had a lot in common. And every year their love and respect for each other only grew stronger.
Both have already thought about procreation and dreamed about how they will travel together with children. Both trusted each other endlessly.
…In the evening he and Anthony were having dinner when his phone rang.
-When? -In an hour? Okay, I’ll be there.
Such moments had long become familiar – Anthony was a lawyer, and therefore he could be called at any moment.
-“We’ll have time for tea, and then I’ll leave. It won’t take long, I think. So I’ll be back for the evening movie.
-How did you go to the doctor, tell me?
-I didn’t. It’s nothing. That’s what the doctor said. He prescribed something, I’ll look at it later. Or you take a look. I put it on the table next to the documents.
They had dinner and Anthony left. Isabella was about to wash the dishes when her mother-in-law called.
-I know, Isabella. I know everything! Don’t feel sorry for me – tell me the whole truth!
-What truth? I don’t understand… And what do you know? Isabella was genuinely surprised.
-The truth about Anthony’s visit to the doctor. I know it’s serious. And Anthony doesn’t tell me anything.
-So he has nothing serious.
-There you go! You’re lying to me too!
My mother-in-law started to cry. And for real – with howls and sobs! And through these sounds Isabella barely understood that her mother-in-law was afraid all her life that her son would get sick… And so… It happened.
Isabella was really scared. What if her mother-in-law was right?! She found a piece of paper that the doctor gave her husband. She began to analyze the letters, guess the words. While listening to the moans of her husband’s mother.
“Yes… Anti-inflammatory pills… Ointment… Warming ointment, yes. Physical therapy, referral to the massage room… That’s it!
I exhaled. I didn’t see anything wrong.
-Mum, don’t cry, calm down! I’m reading the papers the doctor gave Anthony. It’s nothing, believe me!
At first, the mother-in-law abruptly stopped crying. Then she sniffed loudly and asked suspiciously:
-Are you sure that Anthony showed you all the documents? Maybe he forgot some? Or did you conspire with him? And decided to hide the truth from me?
The persistence of her mother-in-law was already starting to turn Isabella on.
-Well, call him yourself and ask him! I’m selling it to you for what I bought it for! I don’t know anything more than you know!
Her mother-in-law’s tone was clearly annoyed. -Who am I asking? You don’t even know where your husband is now.
For some reason, Isabella didn’t feel like making excuses.
-But he’s not home right now, is he? -I know. I called him. He is working,” the mother-in-law paused again, as if waiting for her daughter-in-law’s reaction, then continued, “At least he says he is working. But I wouldn’t believe it unconditionally if I were you!
-And what should I do? – Isabella smiled.
-And you do not spin! If you lose your husband, you’ll be biting your elbows later! And how will you keep him if the divorcee takes him away? You have no children, and you are not Miss Universe yourself.
Isabella suddenly wanted to scream.
-Mom… Let’s stop! Please! You’re out of line. I trust Anthony. And you should trust your son too! I’m sorry! I don’t want to discuss it anymore.
She was very angry with her mother-in-law! You’ve got to be kidding me! First to throw a tantrum about Anthony’s health, and then to start convincing her that her son is deceiving her!
He lies to his mother that he is healthy, and lies to his wife that he is working! And meanwhile, he is weak and runs around with mistresses, huh!
Probably, that evening the mother-in-law understood or felt something. But she never returned to this topic again. And the small sediment in Isabella’s soul imperceptibly dissolved in the happy everyday life of the family.
Two years later, Isabella and Anthony had Ronald – a charming toddler with blond hair. Mother-in-law, the only grandmother, for some reason showed reserved feelings towards Ronald.
She did not kiss the baby, was not touched by his facial expressions, did not take him in her arms. On the contrary, she constantly told Isabella not to teach her son to hold hands (otherwise you can not wean him!).
And the happy young parents did not pay attention to this advice and took turns to carry their own bundle of diapers and shirts in their arms, sang songs, told fairy tales
-“I know your secret,” Isabella’s mother-in-law said one day when she was taking Ronald for a walk, “Ronald is not my grandson. But I won’t say anything to Anthony! I swear!
Isabella froze. She just did not know how to react to such a statement. Shout? Start making excuses? Laugh? None of the options were suitable.
So she silently gathered her son and left the house. Her mother-in-law followed and babbled about help, about loyalty, about women’s secrets
-Mom! – Isabella could not stand it. – Tell me, why do you dislike me so much?
Her mother-in-law looked at her in surprise.
-“How can you say that, Isabella?” she said with complete sincerity. “But you are my daughter! You are as dear to me as Anthony. I just know a little more than you think. And don’t shout!
…Late in the evening, when the baby fell asleep soundly after a fun bath and a hearty feeding, Isabella decided to talk to her husband.
And she told him everything.
-Anthony, I just understand that sooner or later mom will bring up this topic. I don’t want it to happen suddenly. So I’m asking you – let’s go to the doctors and make an examination. I want you to have no doubts that Ronald is your son.
At first, the man was whispering (in case he woke up his son!), then he firmly stated that he would have a serious conversation with the mother.
-“Isabella, you can’t imagine how she has driven me crazy these past few years! She constantly claimed that you were cheating on me. I did not pay attention, I thought – well, the mother is jealous… But now she started talking about my son! I will not allow it!
Isabella was very surprised to hear that her mother-in-law, as it turned out, was telling her husband. And she herself tried to plant a seed of doubt in her, Isabella.
She did not say anything to Anthony. With the birth of Ronald something changed in her… She became tolerant, kinder.
Every night before her son fell asleep, Isabella prayed, looking at his tiny face. She thanked the Almighty for this gift, for her son. And it seemed to her that there should be as much kindness in the world as possible. That her child should grow up in a good world. And even after learning about such behavior of her mother-in-law, Isabella did not feel angry. She felt only pity.
They made a paternity test (of course, Anthony was the father!), after which the man presented this test to his mother.
-Mom, remember! This,” he pointed to Isabella with Ronald in her arms, “is my family! Accept it, please, and do not try to quarrel with us, I beg you!
The mother-in-law smiled happily, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, and nodded.
-“Of course, Anthony, I understand… I understand everything! Betrayal must be able to forgive. You’ve done well!
A few months later they were forced to go to a specialized institution. Because the grandmother was obsessed with the idea that Ronald was not her own child.
She ignored her grandson and sometimes even hid from him.
-And all because you are cheating on each other! And this is a terrible sin! And this stranger is sent to you as a test, you should know!
Isabella was crying. She loved her mother-in-law because she had buried her parents long ago. It was unbearable to see the drastic change in Anthony’s mother. Anthony’s mother was placed in a special institution.
For some reason Anthony was relieved. And Ronald grew up! And bathed in parental love.
Isabella hoped that her son would never know what happened to his grandmother…