When Mother Said No: How Grace Saved a Marriage
Grace was frying courgettes when the doorbell rang. She opened it to find her son, Edward, standing there with a bag and weary eyes.
“Mum, I’ve left Emily,” he blurted out the moment she let him in.
“Left her? What do you mean?” Grace asked, stunned.
“I’ve had enough. She doesn’t cook, the house is a mess, and she doesn’t even work,” he muttered, voice trembling. “Can I stay here for a bit?”
“No,” Grace answered firmly, wiping her hands without breaking eye contact.
Edward’s jaw dropped.
“What do you mean, no?”
“Exactly that. You can’t stay. But sit down and have some food first. We’ll talk.”
Edward wolfed down his beef stew with bread as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Between bites, he grumbled,
“Before the wedding, we were always out at pubs, having fun. But after we married, I thought meals would just… appear. She’s like a child, scouring the web for recipes—too much salt one day, undercooked the next. I pretend it’s fine, but I can hardly swallow.”
“She’s trying, love,” Grace sighed. “No one gets it right the first time. And all you do is criticise.”
“Trying? Have you seen the state of the place? Dirty laundry on chairs, the bed, even the bathroom. The wardrobe looks like a twister hit it. She naps or stares at her laptop. I’m the one picking up after her. When I said something, she burst into tears!”
“She’s young, still finding her way,” Grace said calmly. “But are you any better? A man should set an example—show patience, show love. Then his wife might change.”
“But I do love her…”
“Then she should feel it. That’s all.”
The next morning, while Edward was at work, Grace rang Emily.
“Love, I’ll pop round. Let’s have a chat.”
She picked up groceries and walked to their flat. Emily answered, still bleary-eyed.
“Did you see Edward off to work?” Grace asked, stepping into the kitchen.
“Why would I? He got himself ready and left—just had tea and toast.”
“And that doesn’t bother you? Look at this kitchen—a disaster. It’s nearly noon, and you’ve just woken up.”
“Sorry… I was up late… online…”
“Emily, I love you like a daughter. I’m here to help. Let’s tidy up and make lunch.”
“I can manage… Edward and I will sort it.”
“Suit yourself. But don’t come crying to me later. Here, I’ve brought some things.”
“Thanks. Don’t be cross.”
Days passed. Edward stayed at his mother’s more often, even lying once that he was on a business trip—when really, he just couldn’t face going home.
“I’m sick of it,” he complained. “She doesn’t read, doesn’t care about anything. Just shopping and games. Won’t work, expects me to buy her everything. I’m not a cash machine.”
Grace listened without arguing. But that evening, Emily appeared at her door in tears.
“Mum… he doesn’t love me… comes home late, won’t eat, won’t talk… says marrying me was a mistake… Is this how you raised him?”
“Or did your mother forget to teach you something? Did you think only a man has duties? A woman does too. Marriage is hard work, not a stroll in the park.”
They talked for hours. Grace explained, guided, urged. They struck a deal: Emily would learn to cook, keep house, and look for work.
Months later, Grace had helped her daughter-in-law find a job, taught her to make stew and roast dinners. One evening, they invited her over. A proper meal was on the table.
“Mum, Emily’s brilliant. Eats like a restaurant now! She picks things up so fast.”
Grace blinked back tears. She squeezed Emily’s shoulder.
“Well done, love. It’s all in your hands.”
Life settled. The couple breakfasted together, shared chores. Edward stopped running to his mother, Emily stopped weeping on her doorstep.
Five years on, they had a daughter. At the little one’s first birthday, family gathered. Later, Emily sat beside Grace.
“Mum, thank you. Without you, we’d have split. I was so foolish back then…”
“You were clever—just untrained. Now look at your family.”
“I want to go back to work early. Will you and my mum take turns with the baby?”
“Of course, silly. It’s a joy to be near them.”
Grace became more than a mother-in-law—she was a friend. Now, with two grandchildren, she’s retired and often has them to stay. When asked how she saved their marriage, she smiles.
“I’ll always stand by women. Even if it means knocking sense into my own son.”
