Ladies and gentlemen, have you had enough to eat? Enough to drink? Did I do a proper job for you? Julie called out, perched at the head of the long dining table.
Yes, sis, said Bob, raising his glass, youre always on point!
Spot on, every single time! chimed in Nora, supporting her brother. We learned to cook together with Mum, but I never manage to make anything half as tasty as yours. Thats why I always invite you to my parties!
Mum, said Emma, and here I am, fresh from the gym, still refusing to sit down. I just cant stop!
And Ill send my wife over so you can teach her a thing or two, added Andrew with a grin.
Exactly why I married you! Victor boomed, his belly rumbling. Excuse us!
Consider it done, then! Julie smiled broadly. She paused, the smile fading, and declared, Now, my dear, beloved relatives she took a breath, the grin goneoff you go, out of my house!
It was the last dinner shed ever cooked for them. No more slaving away, no more hearing their voices, not even a thought of them. She snatched the massive salad bowl from the table and, with a theatrical gasp, hurled it at the floor.
Enough, you little gremlins! The dancing stops now, she said, a wicked grin tugging at her lips. Im not going to let anyone ride me any longerespecially not you lot.
A stunned silence fell over the table. No one expected such a move from Julie, the everobedient, everhelpful hostess.
Are you serious? Victor asked, only to receive an instant slap from his wife.
Call an ambulance, shes having a fit! Nora cried.
Julie lifted the empty decanter, the last drops of juice glinting. Anyone who reaches for the phone will get a good smack on the head! she cooed sweetly. Now, why are you all frozen? Scatter, you ravenous little gremlins!
Julie! boomed Brian, trying to keep the peace. Im your older brother, calm down, think clearly!
No! Julie replied, smiling. Im done being your personal servant. I wont cater to you any longer, wont run around like a headless chicken because you cant do a thing yourself. Thats itenough!
Whats got you all riled up? Victor asked, rubbing his reddening cheek. Everything was fine!
I didnt gather you here for nothing, Julie said, slumping into her chair. Your arrogance has crossed every lineby a long time, mind you! Your final little protest showed me just how brazen youve become. Im done seeing you in my life.
Exactly what I was saying, Andrew muttered.
***
They say you have to live life the right way, and you cant argue with that. But whats right? Everyone has their own take. Julie, now fortyfive, was convinced shed been living correctly all her life. At worst, she could only blame herself.
She was the third child, with an older brother and a younger sister. She kept Mum happy, adored her brother, and never bothered her sister. She finished school, got a job, never reached for the stars, but never pretended she could. She married, had two children, was a devoted wife, never shouted without cause, and a good mother. She kept in touch with her brother and sister, helping out, celebrating, solving problems together. People called her kind, responsive, smart, and understanding.
So she thought shed lived rightuntil, at fortyfive, she found herself abandoned at the most miserable moment.
***
Julie Morgan, the doctor said after lunch, all the tests are back, no contraindications. Shall we schedule the operation?
Of course, Doctor, Julie replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. The decisions already made.
I understand, the doctor noted, seeing her downcast look, but you never know
Schedule it, Julie waved a hand. The sooner we start, the sooner it ends.
Alright, the doctor scribbled in the chart. Youll have dinner tonight, fast tomorrow, and the operation the day after.
He turned to the woman in the next bed. Katherine, your results arent great. Well sort it out.
Okay, Dr. OLeary, Katherine replied.
When the doctor left, Katherine asked, Whats with you, Julie? Scared of the operation?
Partly, Julie admitted, glancing at her phone. My husband
Katherine chuckled. My husband sent me off with a song. I reckon the kids will be with their mother while he throws a party. No big deal, hell get back to work. Maybe hes run off to a gig?
Julie pursed her lips. According to his last voice note, hes back in full swing. He knows Ive got an operation. He should be supporting me, not out with his mates drinking!
Katherine waved it off. Ah, men and their matesalways a cat and mouse game.
Its still painful, Julie said. Uterus removal is serious. A little support wouldve meant something. I told him I was scared and needed him. Hes only sent two short texts since I left, and now hes silent!
Katherine, ten years younger and lacking experience, could only mutter consolations, and the conversation faded.
Julie didnt go out to dinner, and she deliberately didnt take any food, knowing shed need to fast before surgery. She lay quietly, staring at the ceiling, remembering the time when Walter broke his leg in two places at work. Shed visited him daily in the hospital, bringing homecooked meals, clean clothes, staying until midnight. When he was finally released, she took time off to help, running around like a hamster on a wheelcarrying water, feeding, washing, ironing, and soothing.
Why does he treat me like this? Julie asked when Katherine returned from her own dinner.
Not just yours, Katherine laughed. Everyone does ituse you like a freerange kitchen help. Theyre allconsumers! Do they teach that in school?
Julie, having spent three years pushing for a better job through acquaintances, found herself in a deadend. Her husband never wanted to work unless she threatened divorce and alimony.
My husband works, Julie said flatly.
Your husband has his own quirks, Katherine gestured, but theyre all exploiters! If you dont keep them in line, theyll sit on your neck and run off!
Julie wondered if she was overreacting, nervous about the operation, and maybe just blowing things out of proportion.
Its all in the eye of the beholder, Katherine replied. My husband brings me fruit juices, calls, sends heart emojis. Hes not perfect, but hes there.
Julie turned away, pulling the blanket over her head.
***
Going a day without food when youre starving is a nightmare. Julie tried to distract herself with chat, but the nurse kept popping in for tests, giving her only brief moments of conversation. Her phone buzzed.
Family will always pick up to pass the time, Julie thought.
Her son Andrew didnt answer; he sent a quick text saying hed call back. Her daughter Emma missed two calls, then her number went dead.
Good kids, Julie muttered, confused.
Dont they answer? Katherine asked, catching breath between procedures.
Imagine! Julie exclaimed. Is it really that hard to answer mum?
Adults? Katherine teased.
Yes, they live on their own now.
Forget them, love. Youll only hear from them when they need something. Theyve flown the nest, and the wind will only bring them back when its convenient.
Her eldest, sixteen, now treats her like a stranger. If they live apart, parents become unnecessarynice to see them at a funeral, though.
No, really! We have a great relationship, Julie insisted.
So why dont they pick up?
Katherine trotted off, leaving Julie to ponder.
Is it really that hard to spare a minute for mum? she mused. Lately all their calls have been about money. Not a loan, just a pinch of cash.
It was devastating. But Katherines comment stuck: The chicks have flown. Now they live their own lives, thinking of parents only when they need something. Julie called her husband again. No answer. She left a message, unread.
Ah, WalterWalter! she sighed. If only hed bothered!
That evening he finally texted: Wheres the savings? Salarys gone, nothing to live on! Hed actually been paid three days ago.
Fantastic! Julie thought, A feast of wine and a river of champagne! Yet she didnt reply. If hed hinted that he worried about her, she might have said something. Instead, she let him sort it out himself.
Bob answered a call later, but said he was busy and hung up.
Mmm, busy, Julie noted.
Katherine wasnt there, so Julie didnt get a retort. She remembered the six months shed lived in two houses after Brians wife left him, leaving the kids behind. Julie had taken care of themmama, cook, cleaner, everythinguntil Brian found a new partner. Conflicts erupted because Brian wanted the kids to love him, she wanted them to love her, and strangers got in the way.
I patched things up for a year and a half, never once heard a thank you, she thought. And now hes busy again.
When she called him that night, only a few rings, then silence.
Thanks for the blacklist, brother! she muttered. He knew about her upcoming operation too. When he asked to take the kids for a month, Julie finally said no, citing the surgery.
Nora gave Julie just five minutes of attention, barely asking about her health: When will you be back on your feet? My husbands side of the family is due any dayabout ten people. Well put them up in a hotel, but theyll need food at home, a proper spread. Youre the only one we can count on!
I dont know, Nora, Julie replied. The operations serious. Two to three weeks in hospital, then a recovery period. Doctors say up to fifty days.
No, no, sis! This is how things get done! Youll be back in three weeks, fit as a fiddle! Theyre my husbands relativesmore important than anything else!
Im scared, Julie confessed.
Come on, stop being dramatic! Chirpchirp and off you go! Ive got to run!
It stung. Chirpchirp and off you go! she thought.
But isnt the operation risky? Complications could happen! Who knows what might occur? Julie mused, looking at her phone. I havent even learned to cook a proper meal in fifty years!
Nora constantly called on the younger sister to cater for her guestscolleagues, husbands friends, any celebration. Julie spent days away from the stove, yet never got an invitation to sit at the table.
What? Thats a strangers party! Nora snapped. You didnt even think about that when you cooked for them.
The operation went off without complications, but the hospital kept her for another two weeks. She didnt call anyone, waiting for someone to think of her. Nobody did: not husband, not kids, not brother, not sister.
She racked her brain until a decision finally clicked.
Julie, what nonsense are you spouting? Brian blurted. Did they take your uterus and a piece of your brain?
You remembered! Julie laughed. I thought no one would ever think of me again!
She rose again to the head of the table.
Listen up, my dear relatives! Ive spent two weeks in hospital, and not a single soul bothered to check on me. No one! She listed them: Not my brother, who loves his kids more than his own mother. Not my sister, whos used me all my life as a free kitchen hand. Not my husband, who managed to drain not only his salary but also the savings wed been stashing for a holiday cottage. Not the children I raised, who never gave me a single call!
A hush fell over the room.
Ive always been ready to do anything for you. When I finally needed even a tiny bit of helpa simple Im thinking of youyou were all nowhere to be found! If I can survive this on my own, I can handle anything. But Im done being your errandrunner.
She turned to each of them in turn.
Walter, youre out of my flat, no more!
Kids, live your own lives. If you need help, go to dad. Youve lost your mother already!
And you, Brian and Nora, Im done watching. Hire nannies and chefs elsewhere! Enough!
Youre out of your mind! relatives shouted.
Everyone, line up! Julie commanded. Off to the devil with you all! I finally want to live for myself, not for you!
Boom!
Left alone in her flat, Julie sat down at the now empty table and said, I may have overreacted, but look at these broken salad bowls. She smiled, A new life begins with a new salad bowl.
