I’m thinking we should order purple wallpaper, my husband told me. Dont you realise it clashes with the colour of the floorboards? Beige would be better My mother hates beige, you know that. Well, your mother certainly likes getting things done for free, I answered.
It had all begun when my mother-in-law quietly hinted that a little home makeover would be rather lovely. I kept my mouth shutwhat could I say, really? But Lucas, my husband, liked the idea. After all, it was his mum. I wasnt thrilled, but didnt say a word.
After all, it wasnt technically my business. If he wanted to take it on, let him. Better yet, she could do it herself. From the start, my mother-in-law made it quite clear all she really wanted were the results. No words of thanks. Just a running wish list. Sarah, its not like its free renovations, its work from her own son, Lucas assured me. Of course, it is.
Of course, it is. She loves getting things for free. She always said as much to Lucas. If something wasnt to her liking, shed have us do it again. I knew it would end like that. The job was finally done, and she returned. She strolled through the flat and declared:
Its simply dreadful. The wallpapers not at all what I pictured. The kitchens all wrong. And what are these cupboards? Its been done so badly, Ive no words. Makes me want to take you to court! Court? Who would you even sue, Mum? Your own son, who paid for all this out of his own pocket? Oh, come now, Sarah, Im only having a bit of fun.
Truth was, my mother-in-law wasnt in the best of moods. Shed expected showy renovations, but we only managed something modest. Everything was new and pleasant, just not the grand affair shed imagined. That was reason enough for her disapproval. Lucas and I simply couldnt afford lavish improvements. We did what we could, but she never once thanked us. Sarah, I dont think Mum likes our handiwork, Lucas said to me one evening. She never likes anything, does she? Your mother always wants bigger, better She just wanted something a bit grander Well, we dont have bottomless pockets. Couldnt you just take out a loan? she chimed in suddenly.
I was sure shed barely heard us. If it were for her own mother, shed get a loan or borrow from someone, she hissed. Shed pay it back in time. Shed even add a little interest. That, finally, was too much. But Lucas spoke before I could, Mum, were not getting into loans! You know how I feel about that, especially over home improvements. Its all decent work, tasteful, and sturdy. What more do you want? Well, at the very least, redo the kitchen. With that, she swept out of the room. Lucas, I think your mothers lost all sense of shame, I said. Sarah, you know shes got a tricky temperament.
We found ourselves wandering a busy DIY shop. I clutched a new tablecloth, Lucas carried plumbing odds and ends. We didnt seem to have picked up much, but the bill added up quick. And for all we knew, it might never end.
All at once, I stopped. You said wed run out of money for these repairs. Youre right, I had to borrow a bit. Thats it! Ive had enough! I left the tablecloth right there on the shelf. Let someone else buy it. Wed done more than enough for his mother. Borrowing for her sake? It was just too much. Dont think for one second you can argue with me! I strode towards the door. Lucas followed. She might be his mum, but there comes a point when enough is enough.
Today Ive learnt that no matter how much you try to please some people, it will never be enough. Sometimes, you just have to set boundaries, even if its with family.
