I spent the morning tidying up the houseswept every corner and started scrubbing the floors. Thats when my mother-in-law deliberately spilled a handful of pumpkin seed husks onto the freshly mopped living room floor. I stared at her in disbelief. This wasnt an accident; she meant to do it.
Mum, why did you do that? I saw youit was on purpose!
She glanced back at me with thinly veiled disdain and replied, Youll just clean it again! It wont kill you!
Satisfied with her little joke, she retreated to her room. I went to the hall, picked up the dustpan and brush, and swept the mess away in silence.
My mother-in-law then started reading her newspaperone she must have read half a dozen times already.
Why do you dislike me so much? What have I ever done to deserve this constant mocking? I cook for you, wash your clothes, keep the house in orderand my daughter is always helping! Why do you hate me so much? I asked, desperate for a proper response.
But she never so much as looked up, let alone answered. I had no expectation of an apologynot even an explanation.
My eyes stung with tears. I finished up, then left the room. I had washing to do, then popped down to the greengrocers for a few bits.
There was always so much to organise at home. When I kept myself busy, I didnt dwell on things and the hours slipped away unnoticed.
My husband died many years ago, when our daughter was just eight. Right after the funeral, my mother-in-law said, Stay here with me! You wont be going anywhere. I dont want the village gossiping that I kicked you out.
I agreed, of course. I had nowhere else to gomy sister lived with our parents, along with her two children. There wasnt space for my daughter and me.
I had hoped, despite my mother-in-laws sourness, that wed somehow find common ground. But it never happened.
In public, she behaved cordially. But alone, she mocked and belittled me, always insisting I do everything her way.
Youre absolutely useless! Whod want you now? No man would ever look at you! You have a child! Stay here with Sarah and me! And when Im gone, youll get my house! But if you dont do as I say, Ill leave it to someone else and youll be out on the street!
That threat terrified me. So I put up with it all, hoping only to give my daughter the best I could.
My mother-in-law wasnt going anywhere. She was well into her nineties, never ill, and spent her entire pension on herself. Shed always demand something specialexpensive, delicious things from the shop.
I realised years ago that Id made an incredible mistake. I never shouldve agreed to stay. Now Id tolerated this humiliation for all these years.
My daughter is graduating from university soon. Shes met a kind young man, and theyre planning to marry. After the wedding, theyll live together at his place. I truly hope my daughter finds happiness and has a far better life than I ever did.
I just feel so sorry for myself and the way my life turned out.
