Dear Mrs. Whitaker,
Im sorry I cant call you Mum the way Id hoped when we first met and when your son proposed to me. Of course I wanted to get married my best mates had been wives for years, and I watched them with a mixture of envy and admiration as they looked after each other, showing respect and affection.
I dreamed of a household where a man would always be by my side, a steady rock, where children could grow up and we could look after them together. I also longed to care for my husband, to let him feel my love, and to be able to chat about anything with him.
The first time I saw how you treated George, I thought, Ah, youve raised a proper gentleman who belongs in my life. Before the wedding you said a single sentence that painted the picture of what lay ahead for me. You may have forgotten it, but I havent, and I regret not giving your words the weight they deserved. You said, My son is used to looking after just one woman. That tiny remark summed up the way youd nurtured George from childhood.
George never refuses to dash to the chemist for your pills, even if the shop is only a few steps from your front door and buying medication isnt a chore. If your front door squeaks, my husband rushes to oil it, so you dont have to worry about such a serious problem. The fact that every door in our flat squeaks in its own quirky tone, or that the wardrobe doors hang a bit low, never seemed to bother him.
When Jack drove me home, instead of taking you for a leisurely stroll through the park, you made a scene, accusing me of being lazy, pampered and too fond of comfort. And why not? Its far easier to travel by car than by train, and lugging around a suitcase yourself isnt exactly a picnic. Yet you seemed to crave a breath of fresh air.
Jack is a wonderful son. When you couldnt sleep and, at two in the morning, aired your misery, he didnt think about the fact that we both had work the next day. He hurriedly hailed a cab because hed had a bit too much to drink the night before and didnt want to risk his licence. Instead of thanking him, you remarked that theres nothing wrong with abstaining from a drink with ones wife if your mother might need help at night. Of course you can abstain from anything, not just alcohol, because hes your son and Im merely his wife.
Congratulations on not handing me any territory in relation to your son though its absurd to talk about sharing a man, you clearly have no intention of doing so.
Thank heavens we dont have children yet. They would have immediately demanded their dear old dads time, and granny would have taken priority. Your caring son didnt even lend a hand when I truly needed it; my friend Emily did, understanding that a bout of melancholy wouldnt do me any good. I had been counting on at least a few words of support, compassion and understanding from George, but instead he once again rushed to your aid.
Yes, I admit defeat; I could never become for him what you are, despite my best efforts. Its a shame all that work went unnoticed by George. He is genuinely in love with one woman you. The lovefilled sentences he whispered to me were merely formalities, a kind of engagement protocol.
I want to be needed by a man, not a glittering, flawless gentleman who arranges everything in perfect order like your son does, not a bloke who ever returns home after a night out with colleagues something George would never allow. Most importantly, Id like him to care about my mishaps, rejoice in my triumphs, and just need me as I need him.
Im relieved to have realised that Jack will never be that sort of person. We never had kids with him anyway, because you dont need intense emotions; George was hoarding your heart for himself and no one else. That very frugality nudged me towards pregnancy. Now I have another man in my life and a little boy who will join us in three months time.
I promise to raise that lad as a proper gentleman, albeit not in your definition of the word. Thank you for the experience I gained from being married to your son. Im returning him to you healthy, caring and doting as ever. May you both be happy.
Your former daughterinlaw.
