Mom will stay with us, your folks can keep living out in the village, Oliver said matteroffactly.
You spent fortythousand on what?! A kitchen unit?!
Oliver slammed the receipt onto the table so hard the plates jumped. Eleanor flinched, but she tried to keep her composure.
It was for the kitchen set. The old one fell apart completelydoors came off, the worktop was a mess of stains.
Fortythousand! We agreed any big purchase would be discussed first!
Oliver, we talked about it! I told you a month ago! You said, look yourself!
I never said spend that much!
And how much do you think a decent set should cost? Ten thousand? That was the cheapest you could find!
Oliver paced the kitchen, running his fingers through his hair.
Every penny counts right now! Weve been saving for a car!
We were saving. Well still save. But I need somewhere to cook now, not when we finally buy the car.
You could have waited!
Wait? Spend the next six months cooking on two burners because the other ones are broken?
Oliver turned to her.
You know what? If you could actually save, wed have a car and a bigger flat by now!
Eleanor felt a lump rise in her throat.
I dont know how to save? Im the one who counts every penny to stretch it to the end of the month, who buys the cheapest groceries and still wears the same coat for three winters.
See? Youre the victim again!
Im not a victim! Im just stating facts!
They stood facetoface, breathing hard. Eleanor could feel tears welling up, but she held them back. No crying, no showing weakness.
Olivers phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen.
Mum, he muttered and headed for the hallway.
Eleanor stayed at the kitchen table, rested her head on her hands. What had happened to them? Theyd never fought over money before. Theyd never fought this often.
She recalled how theyd met. Eleanor was working as a receptionist at a dental practice when Oliver came in for a root canal. They struck up a chat while waiting, he invited her for coffee, and six months later he proposed.
She was twentysix, he twentyeight. Both had jobs, sharing a rented flat. Then they got a mortgage and bought a modest onebedroom flat on the outskirts of Manchester. Simple, but it was theirs.
Life was decentnothing lavish, but they werent struggling. Arguments were rare and usually over trivial things. Eleanor thought everything was fine.
Then things changed. Oliver grew irritable, nitpicky, constantly bringing up money and saving. He earned well as a middlemanager at a large firm, but he was never satisfied. Eleanor earned less, tried to help at home, cooked, squeezed savings wherever she could.
But it never seemed enough for him. You didnt cook right, You didnt clean properly, You spent too much.
Oliver came back to the kitchen, his face serious.
Eleanor, we need to talk.
Im listening.
Mum called. Her healths deterioratingblood pressure spikes, hearts not steady. She cant manage alone.
And?
Ive decided shell move in with us until she gets better.
Eleanor looked at him.
Oliver, we only have a onebedroom flat. Where will she stay?
On the sofa in the living room. Well move the bed to the kitchen and put a foldout couch there.
Youre serious?
Absolutely. Shes my mother, I cant leave her to fend for herself.
Im not saying we cant help, but maybe a livein carer?
Carers cost money. Money we dont have, thanks to your splurges.
Eleanor clenched her fists under the table.
Fine. What about my parents? Theyre both in their seventiesDad cant manage the house, Mum cant walk after her stroke.
Your parents live in the village. They have their own house and garden. Theyre fine out there.
Theyre not fine! I drive up every week to chop wood, fetch water, tidy up!
Keep doing that, but my mum will be here.
Why does your mum get to stay here while my parents have to stay in the village?
Olivers stare turned cold.
Because my mum is alone. Your parents are a couple, they can look after each other. Plus she needs city doctors.
Because my mum is alone, you hear yourself say?
I hear you. Mom will stay with us, your parents can stay in the village. Thats my decision.
Eleanor stood up.
You decided. Not us. No discussion.
Im the head of the family.
Head of the family! she laughed bitterly. The head who spends money on fishing gear but cant afford a proper kitchen set for his wife!
Dont twist my words!
Im not twisting anything. You think you have the right to decide for both of us, but when it comes to my parents, you suddenly care.
Your parents are fine!
No, theyre struggling! And you never even ask if they need help! You never go with me!
Oliver grabbed the car keys.
Im done with this argument. Mum arrives on Saturday. Get the spare room ready.
What if I dont want to?
He stopped at the doorway.
This is my flat. I pay the mortgage. My mother will be here, whether you like it or not.
He walked away, leaving Eleanor alone. She sank onto the kitchen floor and broke down, quietly, hopelessly.
This is my flat. My decision. My mother.
And who am I? A servant? A shadow that must obey every whim of my husband?
She wiped her tears, grabbed her phone, and called her parents.
Hello, love! her mum answered, voice weak but bright.
Mum, how are you?
Oh, you know, taking it easy. Dads been chopping wood, were keeping the stove going. Its chilly this winter.
Could you move to the city? I could find us a place to rent
Oh, sweetheart! Why would we want to leave our home? Weve lived here all our lives. And where would the money come from for a rental?
Ill manage.
No need, love. You already do so much for us. Just dont wear yourself out.
Eleanor swallowed another wave of tears.
Ill be home Sunday, Ill bring groceries.
Come on over, dear. Well be glad to see you.
She hung up. Her parents never complained; they always said theyd manage. But Eleanor knew how hard it wasold house, coal heating, water from the well, dads heart operation left him barely able to walk, mums stroke left her left hand useless. Yet they kept going, refusing to be a burden.
Her motherinlaw, Valerie Hart, lived in a twobedroom flat in Manchester. She was a bit youngershe was sixtyfivestill relatively spry, though her health wasnt perfect. Valerie called Oliver ten times a day with advice on everything from what to wear to where to shop. Oliver obeyed without question.
At first Eleanor tried to cope, then she started to push back, but Oliver always sided with his mum, saying she only wanted the best for him.
Now Valerie was moving in with them, into their cramped flat, and Eleanor was expected to look after her, cook, clean, while her own parents were left out in the cold village.
One night Oliver came back late, didnt even say hello. Eleanor was halfasleep on the sofa, pretending to be sleeping. In the morning he left a note on the kitchen table: Make sure the spare room is ready for Mum on Saturday. Wash the floors, change the sheets.
She crumpled the note and tossed it.
Friday evening she drove to the village, brought food, medicine, helped Dad split firewood, tidied up Mums house. Over tea, Mum looked at her.
You look pale, love. Everything alright?
Its fine, Mum.
Dont lie. I can see when youre upset.
Eleanor sighed.
Valeries moving in with us. Oliver decided it.
Well, thats that, Dad said with a shrug. Old folks can stay where they please.
Dad, we only have a onebedroom flat. Shell take the bedroom. Well be sleeping on a foldout couch in the kitchen.
Shell be here for a while, right?
Oliver says until she gets better, but who knows how long that will be.
Mum reached out, squeezed Eleanors hand.
I get it, dear. Its hard having a motherinlaw under the same roof. But a son must look after his mother.
And what about a daughter looking after her own parents? Eleanor blurted out.
Dad looked puzzled.
What do you mean? he asked.
I suggested we bring you both to the city, get a bigger flat, help more often. He refused, saying youre better off in the village.
Thats right, love, were used to it here. Itd be cramped in the city.
Mum, its terrible! Dad can barely walk, you cant use your left hand!
We manage. As long as youre healthy, were fine.
Eleanor leaned into her mum, tears spilling.
Im so tired. Tired of his attitude, tired of being second, tired of his mother being more important than my parents.
Calm down, love, her mum soothed. Itll sort itself out. Your motherinlaw will stay a short while, then go back.
But Eleanor didnt believe it.
Saturday morning Valerie arrived with three huge suitcases.
Eleanor, help me with these! she shouted from the doorway.
Eleanor quietly helped carry the bags. Valerie surveyed the flat.
Youre living too close together! You need a bigger place!
We cant afford a bigger flat right now, Eleanor replied flatly.
You should earn more! Oliver, ask for that bonus!
Oliver tried to help his mum unpack.
Mum, thats not how it works, he said.
In my day we worked for conscience, not for a paycheck!
Eleanor moved to the kitchen, started the stew. She heard Valerie bossing Oliver aroundput this here, hang that there.
Valerie popped into the kitchen.
Whats that youre cooking?
Beef stew and meatballs.
Oliver cant have fatty food, his livers weak!
Chicken meatballs, steamed.
Still not right. Better fish. Ive brought a pike, Ill show you how its done.
I can cook fish,
You can, you can, but not like me. Watch.
Valerie pushed Eleanor aside, took over the stove. The lunch went in a tense atmosphere. Valerie kept rambling about health, neighbours, grocery prices. Oliver nodded, Eleanor stayed silent.
After lunch Valerie retired to the living room. Oliver came up from behind.
Thanks for taking my mum in.
I had a choice?
Eleanor, dont start.
Im not starting. Im stating facts. You decided, I complied.
You could have been nicer to her.
I was polite.
You were cold. She can feel it.
Eleanor turned.
Oliver, your mother has taken our bedroom, pushed me off the stove, criticised my cooking, and you expect me to be sweet about it?
Shes ill!
Shes a control freak and you let her!
Enough! Oliver shouted. Shes my mother! I wont let you insult her!
Im not insulting her! Im telling the truth!
From the other room Valeries voice floated in:
Oliver, whats happening? Are you two fighting?
No, Mum, alls well! Oliver replied, stepping into the hallway.
Eleanor stayed at the kitchen, wiped her eyes, finished the dishes.
A week later Valerie had settled in, half the wardrobe filled with her things, the other half with theirs. Eleanor and Oliver were sleeping on a foldout couch in the kitchen; her back ached from the awkward position. Valerie woke early, clanged dishes, made a breakfast Eleanor wouldnt eatfar too greasy. Then she turned up the TV to full blast, then started giving advice.
Eleanor, youre washing the floor wrong. Heres how.
Youre doing the laundry wrong. Heat it up more.
Youre dressing wrong. That doesnt suit you.
Eleanor endured, doing exactly as shed always done, while Valerie complained to Oliver, and he blamed Eleanor.
Why cant you listen to my mum? Shes trying to help!
I dont need her help!
Youre rude and ungrateful!
The fights became daily. Eleanor felt herself drainingwork, house, motherinlaw, husband. And her own parents. She could no longer visit them as often, Valerie demanding her attention, and she had to pay the neighbour who helped her parents with chores.
One evening Eleanor sat at the kitchen table, tallying expenses. Money was tightshe needed to buy medication for Dad, pay the neighbour, and keep enough for utilities.
Valerie walked in.
Eleanor, I need new slippers. These are too tight. Can you spare some cash?
I dont have any extra.
How? Oliver just got his pay!
Olivers salary goes straight to the mortgage and food.
And yours?
Mine goes to my parents meds, the bills, everyday stuff.
My parents! Valerie snapped. Youre always paying for them, never have anything for me!
Mum, you have a pension.
My pension is tiny! I cant afford anything!
Mines the same. Im not asking you for money.
Valerie stormed out, then a minute later complained to Oliver.
She refused! I asked for money for slippers!
Oliver entered, face flushed.
You seriously refused my mum money for slippers?!
I have no spare cash!
And you have money for your parents?
My parents are sick! They need meds!
My mum is sick too! She needs slippers! Give her something!
You give it yourself! Shes your mother!
I dont have any!
I dont have any either!
They shouted at each other while Valerie watched, pleased.
Eleanor finally saw the whole picture: a motherinlaw pulling strings, a husband blinded, herself backed into a corner.
Thats it, she said quietly. Enough.
Enough? Oliver blinked, confused.
Everything. Im tired of your attitude, tired of being treated like a servant, tired that my parents mean nothing to you.
Eleanor, stop being dramatic!
This isnt a drama. Its a decision. Im leaving.
Oliver froze.
Where?
To my parents. Ill live with them. If you dont need my help here, Ill go.
Youve gone mad!
No, Ive just made a choice. Live together, youll manage without me.
Eleanor walked to the bedroom, started packing. Oliver followed.
Stop! You cant just walk out!
I can, and I will.
What about me?
Youll manage. You have your mum; shell cook, wash, iron.
But I love you!
Eleanor halted, looked him in the eye.
If you loved me, you wouldnt let your mum push me aside. You wouldnt put her wishes above mine. Youd remember Dads birthday next week, ask if he needs help, suggest a visit.
I didnt forget!
You did. You never thought of it.
Oliver was silent.
Im done being alone in this marriage, Eleanor continued. Im done carrying everything. I want to care for the people who actually value my care.
She closed her suitcase, grabbed her bag.
Oliver, wait! Lets talk!
Its too late. It shouldve been earlier.
She left the flat. Valerie stood in the hallway.
Youre leaving? Fine, go. Oliver will be better off without you.
Eleanor paused.
Youve won, Valerie. Youve taken my husband. But I dont envy you. Living in a cramped flat with a son who puts his mother first isnt happiness.
She stepped out into the cold, snow falling, hailed a cab, headed for the train station, bought a bus ticket to the village.
She arrived late, parents asleep. She slipped off her coat, collapsed onto the old sofa in theThat night, as the fire crackled and her parents gentle smiles warmed her, Eleanor finally felt peace settle over her heart.
