Youre not a wife at all, youre just a servant. You havent any children!
My dear mother, Ethel has moved in here. Were refurbishing the flat and its uninhabitable. Theres a spare roomwhy should she be left standing in the dust? said Arthurs father, his voice heavy with the same old grievance that never seemed to bother him, unlike his wife and motherinlaw, who could not stand the new daughterinlaw.
Ethel whispered, I must go to work; I cant stay here. She worked from home and needed quiet. Arthur spent the whole day at his office in the City, so sharing a roof with his mother was never easy. Ethel was used to being alone in the house, so no one disturbed her.
She stared at her motherinlaw, unable to find words. The old lady clearly did not want Ethel in her home, yet there seemed no alternative. They sat down at the kitchen table and began their supper.
Ethel, could you pass me your signature salad? Arthur asked.
Arthur, dont eat that chemistry. Ive made you a different one; its healthier, the motherinlaw protested.
Ethels expression changed. Her husband was allergic to tomatoeshow could the motherinlaw have forgotten? When Arthur was a boy his mother never paid any heed to his allergies. Shed say, Theres no need to run off to doctors; a pill will sort it out.
Hes allergic. Why did you put tomatoes in the salad? Ethel demanded.
What are you on about? Its only one tomato, nothing dreadful will happen, the motherinlaw replied.
Hell fall ill.
Ethel, calm yourself. He has no allergy. His own mother knows him better than you do.
I am his wife. I look after my husband.
You are not a wife, you are a maid. You have no children! When you do, well talk then.
Ethel jumped from her seat and fled to the bedroom. Her motherinlaw always struck at the sore spot. Arthur hurried to comfort his wife.
Arthur, Im sorry. Ill go back to my parents house or the office. I wont stay with your mother.
Let me speak to her. Shell stop!
No, weve gone over this a hundred times. Well never get on under one roof.
For a while they rented a small flat in a suburb to avoid another family scandal. The motherinlaw, of course, made a fuss, but she had no choice. And Ethel, looking back, could not help but feel grateful for the kind and understanding husband she had. The memory of those cramped evenings still lingers, a reminder of how far theyd come.
