Ethan, are you kidding me? Youre off to your mothers again?
And what do you suggest? Toss her out into the cold, with no lights and no water? the husband snapped, digging around his rucksack. Would you do that to your own parents?
You know my folks never treat me like that. They understand I have a family and dont rope me into their adventures. And yours Blythe began.
Cut the drama. You know I have to help, Ethan interrupted, waving a hand.
I get it. Still, it hurts. Not because the boys will soon forget their fathers name, but because you wont even try to teach her to be independent.
She brewed that porridge herself let her tidy up herself. And you decide where your family belongs: out in the village or here.
Blythe turned on her heel and headed for the bedroom. A halfminute later a click sounded in the hallway as the door locked. Ethan left. She was left alone with the children, to whom shed promised a family walk in the park later that day.
Meanwhile, their dad had once again bolted from the household, and the mess fell squarely on Blythes lap.
Two years earlier things had been a world apart. Blythe remembered that day vividly. Theyd driven to visit her parents, taking Olivia Bennett along so she wouldnt be left alone. Olivia got on with the inlaws well enough, so no one objected.
While they were sipping tea and nibbling biscuits under a grapevine trellis, Olivia dreamed up a brilliant idea that would turn Blythes life upside down.
Oh, how lovely it is here! she sighed, inhaling deeply. I really ought to move into a private house. At my age, peace, quiet, fresh air
Blythes mother just smiled. At first she thought Olivia was merely daydreaming.
Its nice when youre a guest, the matchmaker interjected. But without a husband you cant run a house. This isnt a holiday resort. Theres always something to fix or mend. And you, Olivia, arent cut out for a home of your own.
Olivia pursed her lips, though there was nothing to be offended about. She wasnt lazy, but she seemed perpetually exhausted, even when she was doing nothing.
Im not about to run a farm or tend greenhouses. You have chickens and pigs; Ill be content with flowers and trees.
Just to sit in the shade and admire beauty. The grandchildren will love it too. Ill buy them an inflatable pool; theyll splash on the grass, not inhale diesel fumes.
Flowers and trees need care as well. You cant just lounge in an apartment and ignore chores. Dust once a week, mop the floor every other day, vacuum, then relax, Blythes mother chided gently.
You think we keep a household out of love for labour? the fatherinlaw scoffed. Talk is cheap; a house is a bottomless barrel.
Today the boiler bursts, tomorrow the roof, the day after that the fence. All of it costs money. Thats why were always scraping by.
No problem. Well manage. Im not alone, Olivia protested stubbornly, glancing at Ethan.
Blythe raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Influencing her motherinlaw was harder than coaxing a starving goose not to eat cabbage.
Olivia didnt argue with the inlaws again that day; she merely smiled mysteriously, like the Mona Lisa. Six months later she was proudly showing off her brandnew home, taking in the occasional whiff of roses from the neighbours garden. The house was indeed decent and comfortable.
See? You didnt believe me. Im now in your town not a foot out of place! she declared triumphantly.
But happiness was shortlived. First Olivia asked her son to help with some cosmetic repairs. He lingered for six months, since Ethan only visited on weekends.
Blythe grumbled but endured. She trusted the work would finish and life would return to its previous, slightly chaotic rhythm.
When the paint on the fence finally dried and fresh wallpaper covered the walls, the todo list only grew. First the power went off for almost two days. The house lost not just electricity but water as well. Ethan drove to his mothers, who was in a panic, armed with bottled water and a roll of paper towels to soothe her.
Everythings broken! No aircon, no shower its a nightmare! Im not living, Im surviving, Olivia lamented.
Later Olivia took in a stray dog, thinking shed foster it temporarily. It turned out the pooch had kidney problems. The village vet was nowhere to be found, so the animal had to be taken to the city naturally, by Ethan.
Well, what can you do? The boys ill at least weve got a guard dog now, Olivia muttered, trying to comfort the animal.
A few weeks later Blythe had to clean the cars interior because the guard kept slipping around. And that wasnt the end of it. The dog needed special food, but there was no pet shop in the village and no delivery service. Ethan had to become the courier.
Im not abandoning my mother with a sick creature! You know how sentimental she is. Shell blame herself later, he told his wife when she started scolding him.
Right, sentimental. She feels sorry for the dog, but people? Not so much
Ethan spent every weekend with his mother, and sometimes snuck away during the week after work. Occasionally hed even stay overnight at his motherinlaws place.
Ill be back soon; youll already be asleep, he justified. That way I can get up early and head straight to work.
Blythe kept hoping things would improve, but they didnt. Her motherinlaws roof leaked, the septic blocked, snow piled up, grass kept growing Olivia refused to tend the house herself and couldnt even call a tradesperson.
What if the scammers show up? What if thieves come? Theyll take another three skins Ethan, youre a man, and men are supposed to be feared. Help me find someone reliable and stay present, Olivia begged.
Blythes patience snapped when the power was cut again, this time late in autumn. Luckily it was brief, but long enough for Olivia to panic.
Blythe, Ill go buy a generator for mum tomorrow, Ethan said in his usual matteroffact tone.
Blythe tensed.
From our pocket? she asked, squinting, knowing generators arent cheap.
Well you know Mums under pressure. Shes spent almost everything from the flat they sold, living on a single pension now, Ethan shrugged.
Brilliant. So were now funding not just ourselves but her dream house as well. Ethan, isnt your mum a bit too demanding?
He grimaced and waved his hand.
Blythe, stop. Their lights are a mess already. Do you really want her freezing?
Blythe rolled her eyes but swallowed the rebuke once more.
Now she sat alone in their bedroom, pondering divorce. After all, the husband was always off somewhere else.
Sure, were doing alright, sort of No, divorce is too extreme. I need another plan, something that wont drive me mad with exhaustion, Blythe thought.
And she came up with a scheme
A week later Blythe rose early, dressed quietly, and was about to slip out when Ethan groggily shifted.
Up already? he rubbed his eyes and yawned.
To my parents, Blythe replied calmly, checking herself in the mirror.
What do you mean? Ethan frowned. Today? I promised my mum Id prune the hedges.
You never consulted me. And I have my own parents who need help too.
But yours are two!
Nobody cancelled old age. Heres the new plan: one weekend we devote to your mum, the next to mine, Blythe said, stepping into the hallway and pausing.
Ah, right. I almost forgot. The chore list is on the fridge. Dont forget the kids homework. And make them pizza for lunch; they asked.
She walked out, feeling her husbands heavy stare behind her, but didnt look back. On the way to her parents house Blythe caught herself thinking shed never again rush about urgent tasks or race against the clock.
Helping the parents was more symbolic than anything. Blythe cleaned the upstairs, then relaxed. She read a book on the garden swing, recalled funny childhood lunches, and lounged lazily on the bed. Shed forgotten what it felt like to eat properly instead of gulping food down amid endless Mumama! cries.
There may never be a perfect solution. Perhaps Olivia will never sell the house or even start solving its problems without her sons aid.
But now Blythe will have a slice of personal space she wont surrender. It may be small, but its a victory in the battle for sanity and selfrespect.
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