My name is Amelia. Im completely worn out by my husbands endless drinking. So once again, I packed up all of Ryans things and sent him out the door. Let him go to his mother and get on her nerves for a while.
Ryan and I have lived together for two years, and in that time, Ive thrown him out of the house several times. He always ended up staying with his mum. While hes with her, he never drinks or behaves badly. He acts like the perfect son. Then hes back again, begging for forgiveness and asking to come home to me and our son.
My mother-in-law always puts the blame on me, insisting that I dont know how to handle my husband:
Youre his wife! You ought to know how to manage him!
But I see things differently. Ryan should be making an effort too. Ive managed perfectly well on my own without Ryan! I have my own flat that I inherited from my aunt, a good job, and even a car. Ryan earns a lot less than I do. But when hes sober, hes handsome and kind, and I love him dearly.
Ryan loves me too, but hes got a serious weakness: he loves his drink. When hes drunk, he thinks hes invincible, imagines everyone is against him, and starts smashing things around the house. He picks fights with the furniture, trees, even benches on the street.
His behaviour has landed him at the police station more than once, receiving fines and stern lectures at work, though somehow hes never been let go. The first time this happened, Ryan was very well-behaved afterwards: quiet and gentle, staying sober, repairing what he could. What couldnt be fixed, hed throw away and buy new.
But I was exhausted by his antics. I was at the end of my tether. One day I finally lost my patience, packed his bag, and asked him to leave. In response, he threw his bag out the window. It hit our neighbour, who happened to be walking by on the street below. Thankfully, the neighbour wasnt hurt, but he was furious. When Ryan ran after his things, the two of them started fighting. The police arrived and hauled both of them away. Ryan ended up in hospital and later in prison, serving a year.
I lived peacefully after, but every weekend my mother-in-law would show up at my door, shouting at me so the whole building could hear. I wouldnt let her into my flat. She accused me of having Ryan sent to prison and claimed that while her poor son was locked up, I was out living it up and seeing other men. She threatened to ruin my life and get revenge for what happened to her son.
This went on until Ryan and I were officially divorced. Even then, my mother-in-law didnt give up. She played for sympathy, but I didnt give in. Then she started complaining to every authority she could think of, writing letters accusing me of pushing my husband away just so I could spend time with other men.
It was all utterly ridiculous, but it really damaged my reputation. I noticed the neighbours started giving me sideways looks. Of course, I hated it.
Then, I got a promotion at work and was offered a great job in another city. I didnt turn it down, and a month and a half later, I moved. Im so glad I took that offer.
Its been more than twenty years now. Ive never regretted moving to a different city. Here, I met a good man and had two more children. As for my first marriagethe husband and the mother-in-lawI only remember them with dread Im grateful all that is behind me now.
