Hey, MrsPeterson, its Gwen, your future daughterinlaw. Id love to meet up and have a chat. When and where would be convenient for you?
MrsPeterson tensed up the moment she heard future daughterinlaw. Whats this about? David never mentioned he was planning to get married.
Hello, Gwen. Ill be home today at six oclock, so just swing by.
I wondered what she wanted to talk about. Was she expecting a baby? Of course not she was only there to make sure David would marry her, just like the rest of us have seen happen.
What does she think shes got? Shes nothing like us, not even like David. Hes an architect with a bright future, his own flat, a decent car, good looks and brains. A bloke anyone would be proud to call a fiancé. Any woman would be lucky, yet hes chosen this little girl
MrsPeterson tidied the flat, popped to the corner shop, and still felt uneasy.
Shed seen Gwen a few times already and never liked her from the first meeting. David would bring her round just to introduce her, then theyd have a cuppa and a chat. After each visit MrsPeterson would tell him everything she thought of the girl.
Son, why her? Why not someone else? Whats so special about her? Shes plain, skinny, petite. In my day men were looking for something very different! Shes not right for you!
Mum, I love her, shes the most wonderful person to me! And she cooks a cracking stew!
Those words hit a raw nerve. Hed always praised his mums cooking, and now this newcomer was whipping up divine stews.
Gwen arrived right on time, bringing a tray of bitesize sponge cakes with lemon cream MrsPetersons favourite. Ah, shes trying to butter me up, she thought.
MrsPeterson, Im not going to beat around the bush. David proposed, and I said yes. Hes waiting for the right moment to tell you. Hes nervous about how youll take the news.
Of course, love! Why wouldnt I be happy?
Id like to make an agreement with you. Please hear me out.
I grew up with just my dad; Mum left when I was young, and my father passed away early, so I know what its like in a singleparent household. Youve poured all your love into David. Thank you for that. Hes courteous, kind and caring thats your reward. Youve got someone to be proud of.
MrsPeterson nodded approvingly. Whats there to say? Its all thanks to you, David, for being the way he is.
Gwen continued.
Youve always dreamed that David would marry a beautiful, successful, welloff woman. And here I am small, unremarkable, from an ordinary family, with a modest salary. In your eyes thats a poor match for him. Youre now at a loss, not sure how to stop him from marrying me, right?
MrsPeterson shrugged. Exactly.
Heres what could happen. David wont listen to you, hes set on this. Youll try to convince him, youll argue, and youll end up not attending the wedding at all. Hell ignore you. Does that sound right?
Yes, thats how itll go.
Then youll tell everyone how terrible a son you have, how much youve done for him, and that this girl is the thankyou you get. Some will feel sorry for you, others will smile.
Meanwhile well be living happily together. Youll stay hurt and keep us at arms length. Ill have a baby, David will tell you, but youll stubbornly refuse to see your grandchild because you wont recognise our marriage, let alone the child.
My own mum will dote on the grandchild, taking him for walks, reading stories, spoiling him shell be the worlds favourite granny.
While you sit alone in your flat, watching telly, feeling sorry for yourself because life has left you solitary and unwanted. Holidays will be especially lonely everyone else with families, and you on your own. Itll gnaw at you. Health will start to fail, and youll end up in hospital.
Visitors will come, but only the neighbour and a friend will drop by. You wont want to see David or his bad wife.
In the end, youll spend your days alone, never seeing your grandchild grow up, no one will call you nan, no one will wish you a birthday. And thatll be your choice.
Or perhaps it could be different. After I leave, youll think it over carefully. As a loving, sensible mother, youll accept Davids choice, because if he loves me, there must be a reason.
You see, Im not that bad. My colleagues like me, Im a decent person, and I love David. Ill be a good wife and mum. Most of all, I love your son, and he loves me.
When David tells you he wants to marry, youll praise him, say you support his decision. I know you may never feel love for me, but a little courtesy and tact would be enough.
I dont have warm feelings for you either, but Im willing to change how we relate.
At the wedding well put you in a place of honour. Youll get to admire David and a bit of me. When I have a baby, youll always be a welcome guest. Our child will have two loving grandmothers thats wonderful.
Ill never say a nasty word about you, and you wont about me.
We both have one common goal make David happy. So lets work together. Think it over and give me a call so I know what to expect. Thanks for the tea, MrsPeterson, all the best!
After Gwen left, MrsPeterson sank into the armchair by the window, lost in thought. She felt she was right. Thats how its always been and will stay.
And really, what does she gain by disliking her future daughterinlaw? Let David live with her, argue, try to persuade him and what then? Hell be upset, of course, but hell still marry. Shes seen the sparkle in his eyes when he looks at Gwen. Even Mums stew doesnt taste the same to him any more
What does she win? Nothing. Shell sit with her bitterness while the other granny cuddles the grandchild. She wants that too, but she cant have it.
Hello, Gwen Im okay with your agreement. I dont want to end up sitting alone, feeling sorry for myself. Ill be friends with David, which means Ill have to be friends with you as well. And youll bring the grandchild over on weekends, alright? Also, what do you add to the stew that makes David love it so much?
Gwen laughed.
MrsPeterson, your stew isnt any worse, I promise. The secrets in the spices. Im glad youve agreed to the deal its the best outcome for everyone. David was right when he said youre a smart, loving mum!
Three years later
David, love, look at little Andy, the way he squints hes a spitting image of you! What a brilliant lad, Im so glad I have a grandchild! And Gwen, thanks for that agreement. You were right
What agreement? First time Im hearing about it!
Oh, just a little secret between us
MrsPeterson gave Gwen a conspiratorial wink, and Gwen returned it.
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