Ill have to stay with you for now, declared Margaret. Julias response left her stunned.
Listen, Julia, said Tom, running a nervous hand through his hair. Mums just in a bit of a tight spot.
A tight spot? Julia settled herself into the armchair, eyes fixed on her husband. A week ago, she had her own flat, a job, plans for her future. And now, all of a sudden, shes desperate for our help?
Tom sighed deeply. He knew he had no choice but to tell the whole truth. But how do you explain to your wife that your mum has, once again, landed herself in a mess?
It had all started with that ill-fated phone call three days ago.
Margaret called her son on Saturday morning. Her voice sounded lost and oddly quiet.
Tommy, love. Ive run into a bit of trouble.
What kind of trouble, Mum?
She hesitated. Do you remember me talking about Mr. Clark? My neighbour?
Tom tensed. Mr. Clark that pensioner with a taste for adventure, whod been flirting with his mum six months ago. Tom had warned her, said the bloke seemed dodgy, but his warnings went unheeded.
Whats happened?
Tommy, her voice quivered, hes turned out to be a conman. I… I lent him money, lots of it. Got him to sign a note, of course, but now hes disappeared. And the note isnt valid, it turns out.
Tom felt a chill in his stomach.
How much money, Mum?
Almost all Ive saved up, Margaret whispered. And I mortgaged my flat too. Thought Id pay it back quickly, but now… The bank wants payment up front, and Ive nothing left.
Mum, how could you?
He said he was starting his own business! Promised to pay me back with interest in six months! Margaret burst into tears. I was hoping wed get married, wanted to help.
Mum, calm down. What do we do now?
Suddenly her familiar decisiveness returned. Ive got a plan. Ill sell the flat fast, pay off the bank, and then move in with you. Youve got loads of space, that three-bedroom flat.
Tom felt a headache coming on.
Mum, but its Julias flat.
Tom! Margaret protested. Have you forgotten all Ive done for you? And now youre telling me that some woman your wife could leave your own mother out in the cold?
Nobodys throwing you out, Mum.
Good! Her tone was brisk. Its decided, then. Ive already spoken to an estate agent. By Wednesday itll all be sorted, and my stuff will arrive on Thursday. Clear out a room for me I wont need much space.
Mum, I have to discuss this with Julia.
What is there to discuss? Her voice rang with steel. Are you not the man of your house? This is your family. Your duty is to care for your mother!
Technically, the flat belongs to Julia, Tom tried to explain.
Oh, I see! Margaret was clearly offended. So she keeps you, does she? Like some kind of kept man? Shameful, Tom!
Mum, its not like that.
Fine, she snapped coldly. Tomorrow morning Im making it final. Youd better come help with the move!
Then the line went dead.
Tom stared at his phone and groaned. How was he supposed to explain this to Julia?
Julia got back from yoga at seven that evening. She was upbeat, relaxed, smiling. Tom was cooking dinner an unmistakable clue that there was something serious to discuss.
Whats going on? she asked, hanging up her coat.
Mum called.
Julias smile faded. Her relationship with her mother-in-law had always been chilly.
And what did she want?
Shes in a bit of a mess.
What kind of mess?
Tom recounted the whole story with Mr. Clark and his shady dealings. Julia listened in silence, occasionally shaking her head.
So, what now? she asked, once he finished.
She wants to move in with us.
I see. Julia sat at the table. And what do you think?
I think she doesnt have another option.
Really? Julia raised an eyebrow. What about renting? Is there no room at a relatives place? What about support services for the elderly those do exist, dont they?
Shes my mum, Julia.
And that means she can decide how we live? Julia leaned back. Tom, lets be honest: your mum can barely tolerate me. In four years of marriage, shes jumped at every chance to show me how inadequate she thinks I am.
Tom kept quiet. He knew it was true.
Remember what she said at Vickys birthday? A proper host would never buy ready-made pies, shed bake them herself. And I had just come home from work at nine!
She didnt mean it maliciously
Didnt she? Julia let out a bitter laugh. What about her subtle hints that real wives have children within the first two years? Or her habit of rearranging my things so theyre in the right place?
Tom rubbed his forehead. Each little gripe didnt seem much alone, but put together, they painted a gloomy picture.
Shes just controlling.
Exactly! Julia stood. And youd have her control our home? Our lives?
But where else could she go?
Shes a grown woman. Let her find a way out of the problem she created, Julia said firmly. Shell have money from selling the flat she can rent, or buy something smaller.
There wont be much left after the bank gets paid.
Then she should reach out to social services. Or find work. Plenty of people work at seventy.
Julia, are you serious?
No, Julia said, resolutely. I wont live under the same roof as someone who looks down on me. Its not about the flat; its about not turning our home into a battleground.
Maybe just for a little while? Tom tried. Just until she finds something?
A little while? Julias face was filled with regret. Tom, do you really think shell look for another option? Shes made sure she has no choice but to move in!
You think she planned it?
And you dont? Julia moved to the window. A woman who spent her life as an accountant doesnt understand not to hand her life savings to a stranger? She played into the situation to get what she wanted to move in with us!
Tom kept silent. Deep down, he knew Julia might be right.
Tom, Julia said gently, turning to him, I love you. But I wont let anyoneeven your mumruin our marriage.
He walked over and hugged her tightly.
What should I do?
Be a grown man, she answered. Tell your mum that this is your family. You love her, but you make your own decisions.
She wont understand.
Well, then its her problemnot yours.
The next day, Tom phoned his mum. The conversation was tough.
What do you mean were not ready? sputtered Margaret. Its all decided! The flats sold!
Mum, we can help with money. Well help you find a place to rent, even pay the first few months.
Money? Mum scoffed. I have my own son and family! I dont need charity!
Mum, it’s not charity. It’s my choice.
Your choice? She sounded wounded. Tom, I gave you my whole life! The best years! And this is my thanks?
Mum, I am grateful. But Im a grown man. Ive got my own family now.
What family? Margaret exploded. I am your family!
Mum, enough.
Oh, enough? Her voice was icy. Fine. Youve made your choice. Live as you wish. Just dont expect me to answer when things go wrong!
The line went dead.
Tom told Julia everything.
She said Id betrayed her, he sighed.
Classic guilt-trip, Julia replied steadily. Shell get used to it. You know, after Dad died, my mum wanted to move in with me too. Was upset when I said no. But now shes gratefulshes got her own life, her own friends.
What if she does get ill, though?
Then we help. But that doesnt mean she has to live with us.
A tense week followed. Margaret was silent. Then Toms sister, Helen, rang.
Tom, she said, worried, Mums in hospital. Heart attack.
What? How?
The doctor says it was stress. She was panicking over selling the flat. And the row with you didnt help.
Tom felt guilt gnawing at him.
How is she?
Shes bedridden, teary. Kept saying Perhaps my son will only care when Im gone.
Helen, thats
I know shes being manipulative! Helen replied tiredly. Still, Im worried.
That evening, Tom told Julia the news.
Lets visit her, Julia suggested unexpectedly.
Are you sure?
As sure as ever. She should see we’re here.
Margaret looked small and frail in her hospital bed. When they entered, she turned her face to the wall.
Mum, Tom said softly. How are you feeling?
Do you care? she murmured, without looking at him.
Margaret, Julia interjected, perhaps we can talk?
Margaret slowly turned.
Whats there to talk about?
That youre in a tough spot, and we want to help. But not the way you want, rather how we can.
I dont want your pity.
It isnt pity, Julia said patiently. Its care. Well help you find a nice place to live, pay for rent. Well visit, invite you over. But sharing our home wont work.
Why not? Margaret asked. For the first time, her tone wasnt aggressive.
Because we all need our own space. Youre used to running your household. We have our own routines and ways.
What if I get ill?
Well come, any time, day or night. But it doesn’t mean we need to live together.
Margaret was silent. Finally she asked quietly, Will you really help me find something nice?
Of course, Julia nodded.
And youll visit?
Of course. And youll be grandmother to our children.
Margarets eyes misted. Children?
Weve got plans, Julia smiled.
I thought I thought you didnt want to see me again.
We do.
A month later, they helped Margaret settle in a cosy two-bedroom flat near the park. They helped her get organised, introduced her to neighbours. She joined a knitting club, found a friendanother lively retiree.
Shed visit them every week. A year later, when Julia had a daughter, Margaret became the best grandma ever.
You know, Margaret said one day, Its good you stood your ground back then. Id have lost myself if Id moved in. Now Ive got a thousand new interests!
Julia smiled. We did the right thing.
As Tom cradled his newborn girl, he reflected on how vital it is to say no, even to those closest to us. Sometimes, those boundaries are what save love itself.
And if your own relatives tried to solve their problems at your expense, what would you do? Share your story below. It’s worth remembering: sometimes the kindest word is no.
