Emily stood in front of the open fridge, her hand pressed to her forehead. Once again, all the food had vanished. She just couldnt grasp where it had all gone. The meals shed prepared only yesterdayalready eaten.
There was no point talking to her husband, Tomevery conversation ended in an argument. She was also getting more and more fed up with the fact hed been sitting at home for two months now, supposedly job-hunting. Meanwhile, she worked just to cover groceries, which disappeared like magic. Emily had become used to nibbling on plain toast and drinking weak, watery tea. After work, she had no energy to cook, and Tom most likely assumed she came home well-fed every evening.
Tomorrow Im heading to Mums. We need to help Adam out, Tom hollered from the sitting room.
Emily didnt care in the slightestshe was feeling rough. The next morning, she woke up with a fever and decided to stay in. She took some medicine and crawled back into bed.
Noises from the kitchen woke her up. Someone was banging pot lids and constantly opening the fridge. The ruckus didnt stopthe visitor began to hum little songs, too. Emily dragged herself out of bed and went to investigate. There stood Toms sister, Margaret, with whom Emily barely spoke.
Margaret seemed to believe her brother ought to provide not just for his wife and himself, but for her as well. Their household finances always took a hit whenever Tom helped out his sister. Now, Margaret was rummaging through all the groceries, packing them into containers.
Well, good morning, said Emily coldly.
Why arent you at work? Margaret looked startled.
Im ill. Does Tom know youre here?
He gave me a key himself.
So it turns out its not Tom with the bottomless appetiteyoure the one with sticky fingers.
Hes my brother, Ive every right to take food for my children.
Except hes not working and hasnt bought a single thing. Funny how I seem to be supporting two families, without ever being told about it, Emily snapped.
I cant do it by myself, can I? Am I supposed to say sorry for taking a bit of sausage?
Give me back the keys unless you want me to call the police. You do remember your brother doesnt own this flat, dont you?
Youre threatening to call the police over a cheap pack of sausages? Unbelievable. Take your precious keys, you miser. Ill tell Tom hes married a real piece of work.
Hell get over ithell find someone else soon enough, Emily retorted.
Emily wept. All this time, theyd been making a fool out of her. No one would believe her sister-in-law was stealing food and leaving behind only a loaf of bread. Worst of all, Tom knew and covered for his sister, blaming everything on his mythical huge appetite.
It wasnt really surprising. His mother was the exact same waythe apple didnt fall far from the tree. Any of Toms relatives might pop over at any moment and help themselves to whatever took their fancy. Emily wrestled with what to do next, and finally rang Tom to say she was filing for divorce.
Please let me come home and talk this out. Dont just shut me out, Tom begged.
Im done talking. Ive seen enough, Emily replied.
People like that never changewhat a waste of good years. In that moment, Tom became a stranger to her. She only regretted not putting her foot down earlier.
