So, is he going to live with us now? he asked his wife, glancing at their son
Margaret Barnes came home and was absolutely stunned to find her son there. Matthew had been living with his wife for almost two years now, seeing his parents only once or twice a month, typically on weekends. Yet here he was, coming by in the middle of the work week.
Has something happened? Margaret asked, skipping any greeting.
Arent you pleased to see me? Matthew tried to joke, but his mothers stern look made him sigh, Ive left Emily.
What do you mean, left? she replied sharply.
Margaret was tough she never cared much for joking, probably due to the years she spent working as a youth probation officer. The job left its mark, and patience was not her strong suit.
Well we argued, Matthew mumbled, making it clear hed rather not discuss matters any further.
So what now? She locked eyes with him. Are you going to come running to me every time you fight with your wife?
Were getting divorced! Matthew blurted out.
Margaret continued staring him down, clearly demanding an explanation. He gave a sigh and said, She wants to put more housework on me. Im already exhausted when I get home from work.
Oh, and what, you think itll break you to help your wife around the house? Margaret didnt exactly back him up.
Emily told me the same thing. But I said a woman is the keeper of the home, so she should handle the housework.
Where did you pick up that rubbish? Margaret asked, losing her patience.
She was tired after work, wanting nothing more than a shower and a peaceful dinner with her husband. But now here was Matthew, with some medieval nonsense about gender roles. Shed lived her whole life with her husband, Richard, and they shared work, chores, and child-raising equally. Never had she heard anything like this from him. Suddenly, her son thought he was the MAN of the house!
Im asking you! she practically shouted, so loudly that if Matthew hadnt been a grown man, he might have wet himself. Where did you get that idea? Youve split up the chores, have you? Are you tired from hunting woolly mammoths all day? Both of you work, both of you bring home the bacon. That means both of you do the housework. Or did you suggest Emily quit her job and play house all day? No? Then stop acting up! Have you ever seen me and your dad argue over chores? No, because weve got enough sense to pull the cart together, side by side.
Just then, Richard came home, spotted Matthew and said in surprise, Has something happened?
Even their questions are the same, Matthew thought, then said aloud, Emily and I are splitting up.
Youre a fool, thats all, Richard replied shortly, taking his groceries straight to the kitchen.
Richard, our son is being an idiot, Margaret said, retelling the story.
So, is he really going to live with us now? Richard asked his wife, before turning to Matthew, Do you know what the word spouse originally meant? Its someone whos harnessed up alongside their partner, sharing the load. Youre supposed to pull that cart the family, the responsibilities together, equally. If one starts shirking, the other has to drag double, and that always ends in someone collapsing, or the cart breaking down.
Matthew thought for a moment but still felt wounded by his wife. Hed hoped for parental support but found them firmly against his attitude. His parents continued chatting among themselves, barely giving him any notice. Richard unpacked the groceries, Margaret put them away. They acted as if Matthew didnt belong, and it was obvious they had no intention of coddling him.
Matthew watched their domestic harmony, wondering how they could be so tough in the world yet treat each other with such gentle affection.
So what are you standing around for? his father said sternly. Go settle things with your wife! And drop all that nonsense about who owes what to whom! Youre supposed to look after each other and help thats your job! Now off you go, your mother and I have our own matters.
Matthew left his parents house feeling deflated; their reaction was not what hed expected. But his anger towards Emily was gone, and he realised he had been just as much in the wrong for blowing up over nothing. One thing was clear: he wanted to build a family like theirs, one with the same kind of happiness his parents had found.
