It was already evening. My son-in-law brought my mother-in-law home. He set down two of her bags in the hallway and went off to see Emily. When Emily saw her mother standing there, she felt a heavy wave of disappointment. “So, what now? Am I supposed to take care of you for the rest of my life? Youre not planning on going back to your village any time soon, are you?”
Not long ago, I learned of an old friend whod treated the fate of her elderly mother with surprisingly little grace. Thankfully, the whole ordeal worked out in the end: her mother-in-law was cared for by her son-in-law, who arranged for her to stay in a reputable care home all costs covered. But at the time, Emily knew nothing of this, only finding out once her mother was discharged and returned home.
Emilys husband had brought her mother to their house and told his wife, Your mothers well again now. Ive made sure shes got everything she needs, but shell need some form of supervision for a while. Shell be staying with us for now. Thats all right, isnt it?
Logically, it should have been Emily asking her husband if he minded having her own mother live with them. Yet, instead of thanking him for taking care of her, she made quite a scene, one both strange and deeply disappointing: Mum, Ive only just moved to London, Im just getting my life sorted, and now youre here! You really want to live in the same house as me? So thats it, then, I have to look after you forevernever any thought of returning to the countryside?”
Her retired mother was, quite understandably, shaken by her daughters words, but it was Emilys husband who seemed most taken aback.
At last, his wife was baring her true colours, revealing a side he had never seen when hed asked Emily to marry him. Her mother, clearly worried, quietly began packing to return home, while Emily, brimming with resentment, slammed the door behind her and rushed over to her friends house. When she eventually came home late that night, Emily found her bags all packed and a train ticket by the door. Confused, she turned to her husband and asked:
Why? My mother hasnt gone yet, has she? Or are you going somewhere?
No, these are your things and your ticket, he replied calmly. Perhaps its best if we lived apart for a while. Ive wanted a child for some time, but today I realised Im not ready for my children to have a mother like this. Think about what youve done. Go stay for a bit in the countryside at your mothers home. Shell stay here with me for now. If you come to your senses, you’re welcome to return. That was his decision, and Emily never imagined he would make such a choice.
