Dont you have a mother any more? my motherinlaw snapped at me, eyes flashing. Forget you ever had a mum. After you get married youll stop bothering me, act as if I never existed, and I wont even fork out a penny for the wedding. If I didnt pick out your bride, I wont pay for any of this circus.
Emma felt over the moon when her little boy, Sam, clung to her and said, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything I can to keep that smile on your face. He had no idea how much those words turned Emmas heart upside down. She was proud to have raised such a wonderful lad, a true little angel with golden curls, blue eyes and a face that could have been painted for a portrait. As he grew, Emma used every excuse to size up any possible future daughterinlaw: shed need a solid family background, tidy looks, a slender figure, a university degree, flawless manners and, preferably, a respectable job in a prestigious firm.
My son already has a flat in London, Emma would say. Now I need a proper lady to keep it spickandspan and be ready to welcome guests for Sam at three in the morning thats part of being a wife and a housekeeper, after all.
Time went on and Emmas demands only grew harsher. No oldfashioned girls over twentyfive. Theyd just give birth to frail, sickly kids. And the childs got to be Sams, no doubt. The aunts would shake their heads. Emma, have a little respect. There arent any girls these days who meet your standards. If you want Sam to settle down, stop nagging him, or hell be a single man forever.
Sam graduated top of his class at both school and university, landed a wellpaid job, but his love life was a disaster. Every time he introduced a girl to his mum, she found a thousand reasons to push her away. At each meeting shed send Sam to the kitchen: Sam, could you slice us some fruit while we have a chat?
The first girl Emma met was Anna. She came from a modest family mum a bookkeeper, dad a boilerroom worker, two younger brothers. Anna worked as a pharmacy assistant, which set Emmas mind racing. Shes got constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No, she doesnt fit. Her family are labourers; we need something more upmarket.
Sweetheart, you cant marry Sam, Emma whispered when she and Anna were alone. Youre too different. He grew up in a world you cant even imagine. Find someone more your speed. Anna didnt need a lecture; she stood up and left without a word, not even a goodbye to Sam. When he asked why, she replied coldly, Ask your mum who raised you in those special conditions. She says Im too good for her, so Ill look for someone simpler.
Mom, why did you turn Anna away? Sam pleaded. I really like her. What did you say?
Emma sighed, Son, youve forgotten something. Im your mother, I know best who can make you happy and its definitely not Anna. Where did you even find her? No respectable family, thats for sure.
Sam realised arguing with his mother was pointless and walked away. Hed occasionally mention a new girlfriend, but never brought her home. Emma would offer to help him settle down, and Sam would politely refuse: Ill choose my own wife.
I know exactly who youll pick, Emma grumbled. Youll bring home a cleaner whose only thoughts are about mops and dusters.
But at least the floors will sparkle, Sam joked, a hint of mischief in his tone.
Dont you talk to me like that! Emma snapped, but Sam just retreated to his room. Eventually he decided to move out into the flat Emma owned, which theyd been renting out together.
His relationship with his dad, whod split from Sams mum years ago, was strained. The father hadnt spoken to Sam since the divorce when Sam was six, but recently agreed to meet.
I left Emma because she never gave me any breathing room, the dad confessed. She controlled everything where I went, what I did, what people said about her. When I tried to spend time with you, shed tell me I wasnt fit to teach you anything because I didnt have a degree. She treated me like a workhorse, then dumped me. I thought, why waste my life on a madwoman who never cared? I pulled the plug, we divorced, she refused child support and stripped me of parental rights.
Happy, are you? Sam asked, brow furrowed.
Why are you being like this? his dad replied, hurt. I bought you a flat and gave you the keys. Did she tell you anything?
What?! Sam was stunned.
His dad repeated, I saved for ten years so you could have a place of your own. If you stay with her, youll have no life of your own. She doesnt see anyone as an equal.
Why didnt you ever talk to me? Sam asked hesitantly.
I didnt want you to get tangled up in trouble. Emma threatened to whisk you off to another city, and Id never see you again. So I kept my distance.
His dads words made Sam see his mum in a new light. He often said he wanted a partner who reminded him of her in some way. Emma would smile condescendingly, Youll never find anyone like me Im one in a million, if not a billion.
After Anna, Sam met a string of other women, none of which passed Emmas inspection. Finally he set a condition for his mother: Either you stop interfering in my life, or Ill cut off contact with you.
Ungrateful wretch! Emma fumed. Do you forget who bought you a home and paid for your education? How dare you talk to me like that?
Enough, Mum, Sam pleaded. I know who really paid for that flat. I spoke with Dad, he told me everything.
You believe him? Emma exploded. Some loser who isnt even my own blood?
Dads the one who paid for it, Sam said.
Emmas face drained of colour. She stared at him with scorn, then shut herself in her room. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. Sam knocked, heard a harsh shout: Leave me alone and go to your worthless father!
Why are you like this? Sam asked, opening the door to find her slumped on the bed, hair a mess, dress rumpled, staring blankly at the ceiling a stark contrast to the immaculate, perfumescented woman she usually was.
Sam, Ive come to a decision, she said slowly. Marry whoever you like, even a bloke halfPacific with a penguinrhino mix. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding you wont bother me and youll act as if I never existed. And I wont give you a penny for the wedding. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot any of the bill.
I get it, Mum, Sam replied with a grin, closing the door behind him. That very day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later he invited his mum to a restaurant to break the news.
Whos the lucky lady? Emma asked, nonchalant.
Shell never win you over, whatever she looks like, Sam said coolly. Just so you know, my future wife is called Liza. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors, a proper lady.
Good heavens, and youre so sure of her pedigree? Emma rolled her eyes. Show me a picture.
Sam fished out his phone, showed a photo. Emma pursed her lips, shook her head disapprovingly.
So thats the future mother of my grandchildren? What a frightful sight.
The girl in the photo had an Eastern look.
Whos this, Gül something? Why call her Liza?
Lizas halfKorean, Sam explained patiently.
Even better, Emma snorted. A bulldogrhino mix, exactly.
Shell grow on you once you get to know her after the wedding, Sam smiled.
Emmas breath caught at his words.
After the wedding? Youre really going through with this? Just to spite me?
Why would I do that? Just for my own happiness, Sam chuckled, flagging down a waiter.
Emma sat in shock, trying to picture the grandchildren of such a mixed heritage. The image was, frankly, dreadful.
On the wedding day Sam gave his mum a stern warning: No drama, please. If Liza leaves me because of you, Ill never forgive you. Emma had to sit very still, lower than the grass, as the radiant bride and her beaming son gathered congratulations, danced, and shared loving glances.
The next morning the newlyweds delivered a cake for Emma, but she wouldnt let them in.
So, son, I did everything you asked. Now listen to me. Dont ever bring that halfbreed into my house again. Do you realise what youre doing? You could have a thousand wives, but Im only one mother.
The couple drove off, and Emma, fuming, tossed the cake into the bin.
I wont take anything from that mixedblood, she muttered.
After that, Emma fell ill often, and Liza took charge of her care. Sometimes Sam hired a night or day carer so his mum wouldnt be left alone. Emma never managed to accept Liza, resenting the fact Sam had compared her to his mother.
You said youd find someone like me. Wheres the similarity? Emma grumbled, forced to keep quiet as Lizas help became indispensable, which only irritated her further.
Whenever the phone rang, Emma answered sweetly, Hello, Liza dear. How are you? My blood pressures a bit jumpy. Could you pop round and have a look? Lovely, see you then
