Hell be living with us
A sharp ring on the doorbell tells me someones arrived. Susan slips off her apron, wipes her hands and heads for the front door. On the threshold stands her daughter with a young man. Susan lets them in.
Hey, mum, her daughter kisses her cheek, Meet David, hes moving in with us.
Nice to meet you, the young man says.
This is my mum, Aunt Sheila, the daughter adds.
Mrs. Susan Baker, Susan corrects her.
Mum, whats for dinner? the daughter asks.
Pea puree and sausages, Susan replies.
I dont eat pea puree, David says, kicking off his shoes and heading to the hallway.
What? David doesnt like peas, Emily widens her eyes.
David plops his backpack on the floor and sits on the sofa.
This is actually my room, Susan says.
David, come on, Ill show you where youll be staying, Emily calls.
It looks fine to me, David mutters, getting up.
Mum, could you think of something to feed David? Emily asks.
Ive only got half a packet of sausages left, Susan shrugs.
Thatll do with some mustard, ketchup and a crusty roll, David answers.
Alright then, Susan says as she heads to the kitchen. Shes used to bringing home stray kittens and puppies; now its a new family member to feed.
She ladles the pea mash into a bowl, drops two fried sausages on a plate, pushes a salad bowl forward and starts to eat with gusto.
Mum, why are you eating alone? Emily asks, entering the kitchen.
Because Ive just got back from work and Im hungry, Susan replies, chewing a sausage. If anyone wants food they can help themselves or cook it. And I have one question for you why is David moving in?
How come? Emily asks. Hes my husband.
Susan nearly chokes.
Your husband?
Yes, thats it. Youre an adult now, you decide whether to marry or not. By the way, Im already nineteen.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding, Emily says.
There was no wedding, we just signed the papers. Now were husband and wife, so well live together, Susan explains, glancing at her chewing mother.
Congratulations, Emily says. Why no ceremony?
If you have money for a wedding, you can give it to us and well find something to spend it on.
Got it, Susan continues eating. Why here, though?
Because they have a onebedroom flat and four of us would be crammed inside.
So you didnt consider renting?
Why would we rent when I have my own room? Emily wonders.
Right.
Will you give us any food?
Emily, the pot of mash is on the stove, sausages are in the pan. If thats not enough, theres another halfpacket in the fridge. Help yourselves.
Mum, youve got a new soninlaw, Emily points out.
And what? I have to break into a jig for that? Im tired after work, lets skip the ceremonial dancing. Use your own hands and feet. Susan sighs. Thats why youre still single!
Emily glares and slams the bedroom door. Susan finishes her meal, washes up, wipes the table and heads to her flat. She changes into gym wear, grabs her duffel and drives to the local fitness centre. Shes a freespirited woman, spending several evenings a week in the gym and the pool.
Around ten oclock she returns home. Anticipating a hot cup of tea, she finds the kitchen in chaos, as if someone tried to cook a storm. The lid of the mash pot is missing, the mash has dried and cracked. A packet of sausages lies open on the counter, next to a stale loaf of bread. The frying pan is scorched, its nonstick coating scratched with a fork. Dishes sit in the sink, and a sticky sweet puddle spreads across the floor. The flat reekes of cigarettes.
Blimey, thats new. Emily never lets anything like this happen, Susan mutters.
She opens the bedroom door. The young couple inside are drinking wine and smoking.
Emily, clean up the kitchen. Buy a new pan tomorrow, Susan says, retreating to her room without closing the door.
Emily jumps up and rushes after her.
Why do we have to clean? Im a student, I dont earn money for a new pan. Do you care about the dishes? she snaps.
Emily, you know the house rules: eat, then clear up; make a mess, then clear up; break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yes, that pan isnt cheap, but its ruined now.
You dont want us to stay here, Emily hisses.
No, Susan replies calmly.
She doesnt want a fight with her daughter, especially since nothing like this had happened before.
But I have a claim, Emily protests.
No. The whole flat is mine. I bought it, I paid for it. Youre just on the lease. Dont expect me to solve your problems. If you want to live here, follow the rules, Susan says in an even tone.
Ive lived by your rules all my life. Im married now, you cant tell me what to do, Emily shrieks. And youre old; you should hand over the flat to us.
Ill give you the hallway outside the building and a bench in the park. So you married, huh? Did you ask me? Youll sleep here alone or with your husband somewhere else. He wont be living here, Susan snaps.
Fine, keep your flat. David, were leaving, Emily yells, gathering her things.
Within five minutes the new soninlaw bursts into Susans room.
Right, mum, just chill and everythingll be fine, he slurs, swaying from the drink. Emily and I arent going anywhere tonight. Behave, and well even keep it quiet.
What am I to you, mum? Susan retorts. Your mum and dad are still here, so stop whining and bring your new wife along.
Watch this, he says, raising his fist and pressing it to Susans nose.
Whoa, back off, Susan grips his knuckles with manicured fingers, using all her strength.
Stop it, you lunatic! Emily screams, trying to pull her mother away.
Susan pushes Emily aside, kicks David in the groin, then elbows his neck.
Im going to document this assault, David snarls. Ill take you both to court.
Hold on, Ill call the police so they can record everything, Susan replies.
The couple retreats, leaving the tidy twobedroom flat.
Youre not my mother anymore, Emily shouts as she leaves. Youll never see my grandchildren.
Lucky you, Susan says dryly. Ill finally have some peace.
She looks at her hands a few nails are broken.
Just losses because of you, Susan mutters.
After theyve gone, she cleans the kitchen, throws away the ruined mash and the battered pan, and changes the locks. Three months later, near her workplace, Emily shows up, thin and gaunt, cheeks sunken, looking miserable.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asks.
I dont know yet, Susan shrugs. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Emily says, swallowing hard. And a bit of salad.
Then lets go buy a chicken, Susan replies. Youll have to sort the salad yourself.
Emily says nothing more, and David never appears in their lives again.
