George, are you having a laugh? Youre off to your mothers again? Emily snapped, hands clenched around the kitchen doorframe.
What do you suggest, I should dump her out there in the cold, without lights or water? I barked, digging around the back of my rucksack. Would you do that to your own parents?
My parents would never treat me like that. They know Ive got a family of my own and they dont drag me into their schemes. And yours Emily began, but I cut her off.
Dont be dawdling. You know Ive got to help, I said, waving a hand dismissively.
I get it, but it still hurts. Not because the boys will soon forget their fathers name, but because you never try to make her independent.
She brewed that porridge herself let her eat it if she likes. And you choose where your family belongs: out in the village or right here.
Emily turned on her heel and headed for the bedroom. A halfminute later the hallway door clicked shut. I followed her out, leaving her alone with the kids, to whom shed promised a family stroll in the park that afternoon.
Only to find the dad had once again bolted from our household, leaving Emily with the whole load again.
Two years earlier things had been a different story. Emily remembered that day vividly. Theyd driven up to her parents place, taking Olivia Thompson along so she wouldnt be alone. She got on well with the inlaws, so nobody objected.
While they were sipping tea with biscuits under a grapevine arbor, Olivias mind wandered to a brilliant idea that would change Emilys life forever.
Oh, how lovely it is here! Olivia breathed, filling her lungs. I must move into a private house myself. At my age, quiet, peace, fresh air
Emilys mother only smiled. At first she thought Olivia was just daydreaming out loud.
Good for guests, dear, the matchmaker snapped. But a house without a husband is nothing but a chore. This isnt a holiday resort. Theres always something to fix and mend. And you, Olivia, arent made for a home.
Olivia pursed her lips, though there was nothing to be offended about. She wasnt lazy, just perpetually weary, even when she wasnt doing anything.
Im not planning to run the farm or tend greenhouses. Youve got chickens and pigs, and Ill be happy with a few flowers and trees.
Just to sit in the shade and admire the view, right? The grandchildren will love it. Ill buy them an inflatable pool; theyll splash on the grass, not inhale diesel fumes.
Flowers and trees need care too. Youll be tripping over them in the flat, and theres nothing to do there. Dust a week, mop the floor every other day, vacuum, then lie down and rest, Emilys mum chided gently.
Do you think we keep the farm out of love for hard work? the inlaw snorted. In theory it sounds grand, but in practice a house is a bottomless pit.
Today the boiler blows, tomorrow the roof, the day after the fence. Moneys needed for everything. Thats why were always scraping by.
Well manage. Im not alone, Olivia retorted stubbornly, casting a glance at me.
I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Influencing a motherinlaw was tougher than convincing a starving goose not to eat cabbage.
Olivia didnt argue with the inlaws again that day; she just smiled enigmatically, like the MonaLisa. Six months later she was proudly showing off her new home, breathing in the odd scent of neighbours roses. The house was decent, comfortable enough.
See? You didnt believe me! she declared triumphantly. Im now in your town not a foot out of it!
But happiness was shortlived. First Olivia asked her son to help with some cosmetic repairs. He lingered for half a year because I could only visit on weekends.
Emily grumbled but endured. She believed the renovation would finish and life would return to its former rhythm.
When the paint on the fence dried and fresh wallpaper appeared, the todo list only grew. First the power went off for nearly two days. The house was left without light or water. I rushed to my mothers with bottled water and a roll of cling film to calm things down.
All the chores pile up! And its boilingno aircon, no shower Its not living, its surviving, Olivia lamented.
Then she took in a stray dog, a mutt with kidney trouble, for a spell. No vet existed in the village, so we had to drive the animal to the citymy cue again.
Nothing we can do, the lads ill At least we have a guard in the house, Olivia muttered, soothing the dog.
Later Emily had to clean the cars interior because the guard kept shaking it up. That wasnt all. The dog needed special food, but the village had no pet shop or delivery service, so I became the courier.
I wont abandon my mum with a sick animal! You know how sentimental she is. Shell blame herself later, I told my wife when she started accusing me.
Right, sentimental. She feels sorry for the dog, not for people.
I spent every weekend with my mother, and sometimes snuck in after work during the week. Once I even spent the night at Olivias place.
Ill be back early, youll already be asleep, I excused myself. That way I can get up and head straight to work.
Emily waited for things to ease up, but they never did. Olivias roof leaked, the septic tank clogged, snow fell, grass grew She refused to look after the house herself, even could not arrange tradespeople.
What if theyre con artists? Thieves? Theyll strip another three skins George, men are feared. Help me find someone decent and stay with her, Olivia pleaded.
Emilys patience snapped when Olivias lights went out again, this time late in autumn. It was brief, but enough to send Olivia into a panic.
Emily, Ill go buy a generator for Mum tomorrow, I said in my usual tone.
Emilys eyes narrowed.
From our pocket? she asked, squinting.
Yeah You know Mums stretched thin. Shes spent nearly everything from the flats sale and now survives on one pension, I shrugged.
Great. So now were funding not just ourselves but her dream house too. George, doesnt your mum have too many wishes?
I grimaced, waving a hand.
Emily, stop. Their lights are already a mess. Do you want her to freeze?
Emily rolled her eyes, then swallowed the whole thing again.
Now she sat alone in the master bedroom, mulling over a split. Were coping, arent we? No, divorce is too drastic. I need another way, lest I go mad with exhaustion, she thought.
And then she hatched a plan
A week later Emily rose early, slipped quietly into her clothes. She was about to slip out when I stirred, rubbing my eyes.
Youre up early? I mumbled, yawning.
To my parents, she replied calmly, checking her reflection.
My what? I frowned. Today? I promised Mum Id prune the hedges.
You didnt check with me first. I have my own parents, too, and they need help.
But youve got two of them!
Age doesnt cancel responsibility. From now on, one weekend for your mum, one for mine, Emily said, stepping toward the hallway.
Right, I almost forgot. The chore list is on the fridge. Dont forget the kids homework and make them pizza for lunchthey asked.
She left, feeling my heavy gaze behind her, but didnt look back. On the road to her parents, she caught herself thinking shed never really chase deadlines or rush anywhere.
The visit was mostly symbolic. Emily returned to the second floor, then relaxed. She read a book on the garden swing, recalled funny childhood lunches, and lounged lazily on the bed. Shed forgotten what it meant to eat a proper meal instead of gobbling food while shouting Mumma! over the TV.
There may never be a perfect solution. Perhaps Olivia will never sell the house or tackle the repairs without her sons help.
But Emily now has a slice of personal space she wont surrendera small victory in the battle for sanity and fairness.
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