It was already evening when my son-in-law brought his mother-in-law home. He placed two of her bags down in the hallway and went off to find Emily. When Emily saw her mother standing there, an overwhelming sense of disappointment washed over her. “So now I must care for you for the rest of my life? You won’t want to return to your village later on, will you?”
Not so many years ago, I heard the tale of an old acquaintanceher behaviour toward her elderly mother was rather unpleasant. In the end, all worked out well enough: the mother-in-law was cared for by her son-in-law, who arranged for her to be admitted into a reputable private convalescent home, the fees paid in sterling. However, at that time, Emily had no idea what arrangements had been made. She only learnt of them after her mother had already left the clinic.
Emilys husband had brought her mother back home and explained to his wife, Your mother is well now. I have bought all that she needs, but she must be under some watchful care for a while. So she will stay with us a little while. You dont mind, do you?
One would have thought it more reasonable had Emily herself voiced such a question to her husbandit was, after all, her own mother. Rather than thank her husband for seeing to the wellbeing of her mother, Emily put on a most peculiar and not wholly understandable scene: Mother, I’ve only just settled in London, started arranging my own life, and here you are! And you wish to live in the same house as me here! Does this mean I need to look after you forever, and youll never want to return to your village?
Her mother, now retired, was naturally troubled by her daughters words, but the person most taken aback was Emilys husband.
At last, his wife was revealing her true self, her real naturesomeone quite unknown to him when hed asked for her hand in marriage. The worried mother began to gather her belongings, intent on returning to the countryside. As for Emily, she slammed the door in resentment and went off to stay with a friend.
Returning home very late that night, Emily found her suitcases neatly packed and a train ticket placed atop them. At a loss, she asked her husband, Why, has mother not left yet? Or are you going somewhere?
No, these are your things, and that is your ticket, he replied. Perhaps it would be best for us to live separately for a while. I have long hoped to start a family, but today I realised I am not ready for children if this is the influence their mother would have. Reflect on what youre doing. Stay in the village for a time with your mother, shell remain here with me for now. If you come to your senses, you may return.
Emily could never have imagined her husband would make such a decision.
