First Impressions
“Mum, this is Emily,” said James, looking a bit awkward as he introduced the girl hed brought home at such a late hour.
“Evening,” replied Margaret, eyeing the unexpected guest with disapproval. “Lovely time for introductions, isnt it? Midnight in five minutes…”
“I told James it was too late,” Emily jumped in defensively. “But does he listen? Stubborn as a mule, this one!”
“Clever,” Margaret thought bitterly. “She shifts the blame and makes him out to be the bad guy. Not a great first impression.”
“Come in, then,” she sighed before retreating to her bedroom without another word.
What else could she do? Kick her only son out in the middle of the night over some stranger? If they wanted to live together, fine. A mothers job was to protect her sonand open his eyes. And Margaret would do just that. Soon enough, James would send this girlfriend packing without a second thought. Hed even be relieved!
All night, Margaret stewed over how to get rid of Emily.
Not that she was against James settling down. At thirty, it was high time he started a family.
But not with *her*!
For starters, she was much youngerproof he wasnt thinking straight.
A wife? A mother? A proper homemaker? Hardly.
And her attitude spoke volumesshowing up at all hours without so much as an apology! Then she had the nerve to accuse her darling son for no reason…
And worseshe stayed the night!
Was this a one-time thing or a habit?
Bottom line: Margaret just didnt like her.
So James would come to his senses soon enough.
Why waste time on her?
The plan became unnecessary.
Emily handed her all the ammunition she needed.
The first red flag came that very morning.
Emily locked herself in the bathroom… for an *hour*.
James paced the flat, growing more furious by the minute.
“Sweetheart, whats wrong?” Margaret asked, laying it on thick. “Shes just getting readywants to look nice for you.”
“But Ive got work!”
“Well, knock on the door. Remind her shes not the only one here,” his mother suggested.
“Thatd be awkward,” he muttered. “Well talk later. What about you, Mum? Wont you be late?”
“Me? No. Ive been ready for ages. Here, I made pancakes. Come eat.”
“I havent even washed!”
“Too bad, do it after. For now, dont waste timeget some food in you. Youll need energy.”
James sat down.
Just then, Emily emerged from the bathroom, towel on her head, glowing.
“Finally!” James snapped, rushing to the fogged-up mirror.
He washed up in a flash, shaved at lightning speed, scarfed down a pancake in three bites, and was already at the door when he called out:
“See you tonight! Hope you two get on.”
“James!” Emily called after him. “We were supposed to fetch my things today.”
“We will. Tonight. Dont get bored!” His voice faded down the stairs.
Margaret stood, shut the door behind him, and turned to Emily.
“Have you no shame?”
“No,” Emily replied, smiling. “Should I?”
“James will be late because of you!”
“He wont. Hell grab a cab. Dont worry, itll be fine.”
“Either way, remember this: youre not the only one here. If you want to hog the bathroom for an hour, get up earlier. Thank goodness Im off today.”
“It wont happen again,” Emily said simply. “Sorry.”
Margaret was stunned. Shed hoped for a fight, but…
“Right, then,” she grumbled, heading to the bathroom.
The first thing she saw? A new tube of toothpaste, opened before the old one was finished.
“Emily, whyd you open a new one?”
“I prefer it.”
“Hope youll bring your own? And your shampoo?”
“Of course, Mrs. Harris…”
“And your towels!”
“Ill bring them…”
No matter how she tried to pick a fight, Emily wouldnt bite. She agreed to everything, nodded politely, “took note” of her future duties.
Out of ammo, Margaret went straight for the kill.
“Why are you here?”
“James and I love each other…”
“Of course you love himwho wouldnt? But I dont get itwhat does he see in *you*?”
“I never asked…”
“And your parents?”
“Mums a seamstress. Factory work.”
“And your dad?”
“Never knew him.”
“I see. Fatherless. And how do you plan to be a good wife to my son?”
“Ill do my best…”
“You could try all you likeit wont work. James doesnt love you. He just *thinks* he does. I know him! And hell never marry you! Why would he? Youre already at his feet.”
“He loves me,” Emily whispered, voice trembling. “Im sure of it.”
“Youre fooling yourself. Think youre the first?”
“No… but it doesnt matter…”
“Doesnt matter? Hell tire of you in a week! Youre not good enough for him! Brainsever heard of them?”
“Yes. But thats not the right word here.”
“Why not?”
“Ive got a degree.”
“So what? Listen, lovego home. This isnt your place. Ive been trying to tell you all morning, but you wont hear it.”
“Fine, Ill leave. But what will you tell James? He wont like it.”
“Not your problem! Get out and dont come back. Youre not welcome.”
Margaret shocked even herself with the cruelty. Shed never imagined saying such things. The venom poured out unchecked.
And Emily?
The girl just looked at her, understanding perfectly.
His mother was jealous. Theyd barely met, and already the hatred was bubbling. And this was only the beginning…
The front door slammedJames was back earlier than expected.
“Already?” Margaret snapped, hoping Emily would be gone by now.
“They let me go early!” he cheered. “Told them it was a family matter. Hear that, Em? *Family!*”
“What matter?” Margaret growled.
“Were registering our union at the town hall, then grabbing her things! Em, get ready!”
Margarets heart sank. She hadnt just lost a battleshe mightve ruined her chance at being a grandmother for good.
