May 24, 2022
I remember, all those years ago, when my son fell in with a rather sly young woman, clever at turning him whichever way she pleased. Not long after they met, she began sowing seeds of discord between us. She told him I cared nothing for their happiness and was selfish, all because Id refused to swap homes with them.
My husband departed this life some years hence, leaving our son as my only child. We raised him with love and care, ensured he received a sound education. Before he married, George lived with us. He took work while still at university, and upon gaining his degree, he was fortunate enough to secure a decent position straightaway.
George was always my pride. Handsome, successful, thriving in his career. My husband and I never had the means to provide George with his own flatwe lived modestly and only managed to purchase our own place well into our forties, after years of renting. There simply wasnt enough for a second property for our boy. But as I saw it, he was perfectly capable of earning his own way, just as we had.
When George told me he was seeing a girl, I was over the moon. I did all I could to build a good relationship with my future daughter-in-law: I never rebuked or corrected her, nor did I fuss over trivial matters. The most important thing was Georges happiness. At first, Katherine seemed charmingpolite, reserved. Yet, once theyd wed, her true nature began to show.
After the wedding, George and Katherine left for their honeymoon. Upon their return, she promptly left her job, complaining about her managers and saying she wished to find something better. But that was merely the beginning. For two years now, shes stopped working altogether, relying on George to support her and evidently has no intention of finding employment.
They settled into her small one-bedroom flat on the outskirts of London. With Katherine at home and a taste for beauty salons and fashions, their finances were stretched thinthere was no question of saving for a new home.
Its hard for me to understand how one could go two years without finding work. I suspect Katherine isnt truly searching for a job, and instead is content to live off her husband and enjoy lifes comforts.
Once, I asked if they planned to have children.
With a flat this size, how can we even think about starting a family? Katherine replied briskly.
Perhaps you could put aside a little for a mortgage deposit? I suggested.
Theres nothing left to savewere struggling as it is, Katherine complained.
I held my tongue, though I wanted to say that had she been working, theyd certainly have managed to save. Had they shown an effort to buy a place, Id have gladly helped; Id put aside a respectable sum over the years. But now, I refuse to give them money, knowing Katherine would squander it on frivolities.
Lately, Katherine has begun talking of children again, saying time waits for no one and they must think of an heir, but I cannot imagine raising a child in such cramped conditions. To my dismay, George began to echo her concerns.
Mum, what do you think about swapping homes with us? George asked me one evening. No need for legal formalitiesjust a straight swap. Your place would suit us, and youd manage with ours.
The words wounded me deeply; I knew such a scheme hadnt sprung from George alone. I told them my work would be far away and that old roots should not be moved lightly.
Youve only a few years left at work, and wed give you grandchildren, Katherine said with an icy smile.
I refused their generous offerI loved my home, and had no desire to leave it behind.
George raised the topic several times after, each time with words that stung worse. Never before had he sought to take advantage of another, but now his wife seemed to drive him to it.
Come along, lets go, I heard Katherine say to George after a visit, clearly for my benefit. Told you your mother doesnt care if we have children or not. Shed never lift a finger for us!
Since that day, George cut off contact. He no longer answers my calls nor returns them. I cannot fathom why my son acts sohes a sensible lad, yet when his wife is near, he seems to lose all reason.
