A week alone would smooth her edges like silk, yet when he beheld the aftermath of those seven days, he froze at the very doorstep.
Eleanor had lately become a stranger to herself. Cracks were widening in her marriage to James, and she stood bewildered in the throbbing ache of the situation. It all began with the tiniest irritations, as it always does.
After work, James started to pepper her with venomous remarks. His jokes were laced with spite; each syllable cut deeper than a fist. Day by day his demeanor grew harsher. Even on his holiday he offered her no respite.
You look like an old hag! he snorted, never looking up from his phone. Other lads wives are proper ladies, and yours is a shriveled prune!
Indeed, Eleanor seemed older than her years. Her job was grueling, leaving lines on her face. Hearing such words from the man she had pledged herself to hurt the most. She earned twice as much as James, so he had no reason to complain.
James squandered his money however he pleased, without consulting anyone: Wherever I fancy, I spend! No kids to save for!
Eleanor endured that too. Their means were modest. They were not legally wed, yet lived as a couple and made no haste to marry. Still, Jamess mother, Martha, had long called Eleanor a daughterinlaw, and Eleanor took her for a motherinlaw.
Martha proved meddlesome and dissatisfied with life. She constantly interfered in the young couples affairs, and most of her nitpicking landed on Eleanor.
They lived in a detached house on the outskirts of Manchester. Though the town was close, the garden demanded constant attention. Often Eleanor begged James for help:
I simply cant keep up work starts at dawn and ends at dusk!
And whats it to me? James replied. Its your house, youre the mistress here, not me.
Winter left the garden buried in drifts until Eleanor herself took up a spade. Summer saw the grass creep up to the windowsills. They hired workers to tidy up, only for Eleanor to finish the chores after her shift.
Meanwhile James lounged on the sofa, only occasionally rising to glance at the progress.
She forgave many things, but the final straw snapped when she returned home after a brutal day at the office. Exhausted, she shuffled in, her hand throbbing from the heavy shopping bag shed grabbed on the way.
She hoped James would meet hershe even calledbut he stayed silent. Panting and wiping sweat from her brow, Eleanor heard music drifting from the back garden.
Leaving the parcel by the fence, she hurried inside, where a raucous disco thumped. Inside, resentment and fury swirled; tonight she intended to unleash everything that had built up.
The house was a fullblown party. Loud music rattled the panes. On the table sat the snacks and the meal Eleanor had prepared earlier, so she wouldnt have to fuss in the evening. James, oblivious to his wife, danced with a flamboyantly dressed woman whose cheeks were flushed from drink.
Without a word, Eleanor crossed the room and switched the music off.
James stared, fogged, then murmured, What are you doing? his voice trembling.
I was about to ask you the same thing! Whats happening? Whos that woman?
His partner kept moving as if nothing had shifted.
And what of it? James sneered. Just an old schoolmate I ran into, thats all. Cant I relax in my own home?
Remember, you once said this is my house and you have no claim on it. So clear out now, see your guest away, and then well talk!
I wont! James tried to rise, but his legs gave way.
Eleanors disgust had deepened. He was no longer a man to her, just a burden. Living with him out of fear of solitude? No longer.
She seized the stranger by the elbow and ushered her to the gate: Its time for you to go!
Turning back, she asked James, Will you leave yourself, or do I have to drag you out?
He shrugged, snatched a salad and a bottle from the table, swayed, and headed for the exit.
Live without me, youll call, you hysteric! he shouted over his shoulder.
Oh, dear! wailed Martha, clutching her head. My head is splitting!
Mum, dont shout! Eleanor sent me away. She didnt like that I didnt meet her, James lied, knowing his mother would side with him.
And why would that be? Martha asked, puzzled.
Who knows! Shes always finding fault: this, that! Im fed up! Maybe Im tired from work too? Think its easy? Why should I help in someone elses home?
Exactly! Martha encouraged. First sort out the house, claim your share, then ask! Dont act all highandmighty as if I should greet her! Shes fine, she should manage herself!
Thats what I told her! She took offense!
Let her sulk! Dont give in! Nothing to concede! She wants marriageshell endure! Shes no longer a kid to stick her nose where it doesnt belong!
So what now? James asked, head hanging low.
Patience, son! his mother chided. Shell crawl back, like a sweet thing, begging you to take her in! Shell spend a week alone and realise what shes done! And youdont cavewhen she returns, demand registration. Otherwise shell be left without you!
Thus the motherinlaw lectured her son on handling Eleanor, and he listened, nodding in rhythm.
Youre right, Mum! I wont put up with her whims! Who does she think she is, to command me? Im no servant, Im a grown man! Im the master of my own house!
Following his mothers counsel, James vanished for a full weekno calls, no visits. He simply waited.
Martha, however, was not idle. She clung to him with constant demands, reminding him of oldfashioned discipline: a swift flog with a birch rod across his back.
Youre not at your wifes, youre at your mothers! No work, no lunch! she snapped, blunt as a hammer.
No argument was permitted.
At last, after the seventh day, James gathered his resolve: Im going home, Mum! Ill see how she fared without me. Shell be crawling, begging for my return!
Go, go! Dont surrender! Speak clearlyreturn on your own terms! she urged.
He stepped out, chest puffed, chin raised, as if he were about to prove his dominance. He approached the gate, entered the yard and froze.
Something was off.
He looked around: the garden was immaculate, the grass trimmed like a ruler, windows gleamed, flowerbeds were perfectly aligned, paths spotlessno hint of neglect.
Not only that, the whole scene seemed alive, vibrant, as if tended by unseen hands.
Even the gate was newsturdy, not the squeaky relic he remembered.
James fumbled for his key, only to find it no longer fit. He lingered, then, with purpose, knocked on the front door.
Footsteps halted inside, the door swung open.
But the woman standing there was not the weary Eleanor with dark circles. She was fresh, smiling, eyes sparkling.
I thought you were the one suffering alone At least call me! she said.
Why would I? Eleanor replied, softening her smile, tilting her head playfully.
How could I? My husband vanished for a week and you dont even try?
I have no husband, she answered calmly.
Where would he come from? Eleanor laughed. There was a visitor once, a total flop. Not worth recalling!
James flushed scarlet: Is that you talking about me?! Youll get a beating and talk differently! You should have been raised better! I only cursed you before!
He lunged forward, but Eleanor didnt flinch.
From the doorway emerged a tall man, placed a hand on her shoulder and said firmly, Hey, lad, get out. And make it quick.
Whos that? A lover? James sputtered. If you chase him away, Ill forgive you and come back! I promise not to hit!
Then gravity seemed to betray itself, time hiccuppedJames was standing, then sprinting, as if demons chased him, while unseen forces pushed him faster.
Eleanor stood on the porch laughing until tears rolled, watching her older brother shove the former lodger toward the gate. He hurled him, and her brother gave him a couple of swift kicks.
As James vanished beyond the threshold, the brother slammed the gate shut and turned to his sister:
Eleanor, dont even think of taking that fool back! Honestly, I cant fathom how you ever tolerated him!
Eleanor sighed deeply: I was foolish, thats why I put up with him. I kept hoping hed change.
People dont change; they just get stuck in their necks! If you need help around the housecall me, Ill come. And let him learn that this is his last stop.
And if he doesnt get it?
Then Ill explain again, the brother winked, and together they entered the house.
Inside, guests were already cheering, watching the drama through the windows.
Well then, birthday girl, to you!
To the nameday! the crowd shouted, raising glasses that chimed.
Eleanor smiled. How wonderful it was to have such a caring, strong older brother, always there in the strange, dreamwoven night.
