The Overbearing Mother-in-Law
“You must give this money to my mother,” raged Graham, “she’s not a stranger! She’s your mother-in-law, a second mother!”
“And what are you planning to spend it on? Your own fancy whims? I won’t forgive you if something happens to Mum!”
At 29 years old, Graham had been married three times and still couldn’t find happiness with any of his wives.
The women he married, to put it kindly, were a disappointment—they all dared to disrespect his mum, Mary.
Graham met his first wife, Julie, at university, and at first, she left a good impression on the young man.
After just a month of dating, he proposed to her.
Mary, after a small test of her potential daughter-in-law, approved of her:
“She cooks well, washes the dishes properly on all sides. But Graham, make sure Julie knows she must get a job after the wedding.”
“Lots of people juggle both work and studies these days. I don’t want your wife living off you!”
Graham decided not to say a thing to Julie until after they were married:
“Julie, you need to get a job,” he stated flatly.
“But how can I work when I’m studying full-time?”
“I don’t know, find something in the evenings. I’m working after all.”
“But I didn’t plan to work,” Julie hesitated, “what if we have a child soon? What then?”
“That’s no problem,” assured Graham, “you’ll only take a short leave, and then go back to your responsibilities. Mum will look after the child!”
Even then, Julie thought she might have made a mistake accepting Graham’s proposal.
The marriage fell apart within four months—Julie simply fled back to her parents, away from Graham and Mary.
Mary immediately called Julie’s mum:
“She won’t come back to you,” declared Julie’s mother, “did you think I raised my daughter to be ordered around by a controlling woman and her spoiled son?”
File for divorce; Julie doesn’t want to live with Graham anymore!
Graham followed through and ended his marriage with Julie. He wasn’t even upset—he didn’t need a wife like her anyway.
Especially since his mother agreed:
“Good thing it ended now. Can you imagine if you had kids? Julie would be on leave, not earning any money. You’d bear all the weight, my boy!”
“It’s nothing, you’re only 23; these are your best years. You’ll find happiness yet!”
***
Happiness crossed Graham’s path a year after his divorce from Julie. He met Emily, a girl from out of town.
Everything about Emily suited Graham, but most importantly, she had a good job and earned a decent salary.
This time, Mary didn’t bother with tests once she heard that Emily would contribute equally to the family budget.
They married quickly, and within a week, Emily shocked Graham:
“Darling, I’ve wanted to tell you something but was scared…”
“Tell me what, and scared of what?” Graham was confused.
“Well, I thought you’d turn away from me… I have a child!”
Graham was upset: not again! Raising someone else’s child was not part of his plan.
He ran to his mum for advice; she sighed and declared:
“Not a problem! The child’s been living somewhere all this time? Let them stay there!”
“Let your Emily bring the child over sometimes. Moving them in isn’t an option now; your relationship hasn’t been tested by time yet.”
“What if, like with Julie, you end up divorcing quickly?”
Graham conveyed his mother’s words to his wife. Emily was upset, hoping to move her son from the small town to the city, but didn’t argue with her husband.
She thought they’d sort it out in time. She could just surprise Graham, bring her son over, and say her parents couldn’t look after him anymore.
And that’s exactly what Emily did.
About a month after revealing her secret, she brought her seven-year-old son to Mary’s house.
They greeted the child with coldness, and Graham immediately stated:
“Tell him not to call me Dad, and he doesn’t need to call my mum Granny! We’re strangers to your son.”
“I don’t want to hear any requests to buy him anything, either. Put part of your salary into the joint account and spend the rest on your child.”
Such treatment hurt Emily deeply. She expected Graham to warm up upon seeing her son.
In all honesty, Emily married Graham for the flat; her rented accommodation was eating up most of her salary.
This marriage didn’t last long either. Tired of endless complaints, Emily filed for divorce, took her son, and returned to her parents.
Graham was alone again, and once more, Mary comforted her son:
“No Graham, just imagine: a life with someone else’s child!”
“There wasn’t much use from Emily either; the only good thing was her job. I did everything at home, cooked for everyone.”
“Yet she started turning up her nose, demanding we treat her child warmly!”
“And why should we? We didn’t owe him anything!”
***
Graham met his third wife at a scientific conference, attending as a professor’s assistant.
Jane was utterly charming—a savvy, business-minded woman.
They got talking, and Graham learned Jane was well-off, owning her flat, car, and some standing in society.
Graham had to court Jane for a long time; to start with, she didn’t let him get too close.
When Graham shared every detail about his new acquaintance with his mum, Mary was thrilled:
“Son, she’s exactly what you need! With a woman like that, you won’t go wrong! Her being 12 years older is just a detail.”
“How much does she earn? Three times more than you? We’re taking this chance. No doubt!”
Jane initially refused to marry Graham:
“Tell me, why do we need a marriage certificate? What does it change? We can be happy without formal registration.”
“Oh, Jane,” Graham protested immediately, “no, I can’t live like that! I wasn’t raised that way! I don’t accept shacking up, so let’s make it official.”
Jane thought it over and agreed. After all, getting divorced is simple now, it’s not an issue.
Jane refused to move in with Mary:
“Why live with someone else when I have my own three-bedroom flat? If you want, move in with me. But I’m certainly not moving in with your mum!”
“But darling, I can’t leave Mum! How would she cope without me?”
“Well, Mary doesn’t look over sixty yet. She’ll manage.”
“Graham, you’ve heard my conditions. If you want, come over; if not, let’s have a weekend marriage. I’m fine with that.”
***
Graham did move in with Jane, much to Mary’s dismay.
She hoped that after Jane’s move, they’d rent out the three-bedroom flat, providing additional stable income.
Jane, experienced in romantic matters, quickly started to mould Graham to her ways.
And she did it skilfully—Jane managed to reduce Graham’s visits to Mary significantly. He visited rarely.
“Son, you’ve stopped coming around altogether,” Mary complained, “what’s going on? Does your wife not let you?”
“Mum, I’m just very busy right now,” Graham lied, “Jane says I need to grow and develop. She suggested I write a thesis! That’s what I’m focused on now.”
After marrying Jane, Graham stopped giving money to his mum. It didn’t sit well with Mary—first she hinted, then she spoke outright:
“Why don’t you give me money? How am I supposed to keep our two-bedroom flat?”
“Mum, I don’t have any spare money right now,” Graham explained, “as soon as I do, I’ll start helping you again. Please be patient.”
Jane’s priority was to detach Graham from under Mary’s thumb.
She liked Graham as a person; he was attentive, agreeable, and easily compromised.
Jane worked hard to make her husband a typical henpecked husband—she adored that type of man.
***
This marriage too crumbled soon. Mary used all tactics to extract money from her son, but she felt disheartened.
Naturally, Jane was blamed for Graham’s heartlessness. After much contemplation, the pensioner hatched a plan to make her son pay:
“Graham, I need money for treatment! I’m not well. Since you moved out, my health has declined!”
“What’s wrong, Mum?”
“Oh, son, it’s a long story. I need 20,000 pounds for surgery.”
“Mum, I don’t have that kind of money! I know Jane has it. Ask her, I’m sure she won’t refuse.”
“What if she does refuse, Mum?”
“Then threaten her with divorce! Tell her you won’t live with her unless she helps your mum.”
Graham waited for Jane to return from work and immediately asked her for money.
She listened, then refused:
“Graham, you know I spend a lot on my appearance. Of course, I have 20,000 pounds, but they’re earmarked.”
“I plan to spend them on cosmetic procedures to preserve my youth.”
Graham was almost breathless with indignation:
“On procedures? Jane, do you understand that this is a matter of life and death? My mum is ill, her health is a thousand times more important than some injections!”
“I demand you help me. You’re my wife, and you simply must lend a hand!”
“Who says that?” Jane smirked, “I owe you nothing, darling. If your mum’s ill, find the money for her treatment. What does this have to do with me?”
“Then I’ll file for divorce,” Graham dared, confident that such news would jolt Jane.
“Well, fine, go ahead. I’m tired of you anyway. Pack your things and go back to your beloved mum. Living with you is impossible!”
Graham panicked and begged Jane to reconsider. Jane remained firm, packed his things herself, and showed him the door.
Mary was thrilled about the divorce—her son finally returned to his childhood home. Graham, on the other hand, was sorrowful, hoping against hope to reconcile with his wife.
