Is he really going to live with us now? Dad asked Mum, glancing over at their son
Margaret Evans came home that evening, only to be taken aback by the sight of her son. Tom had been living with his wife for nearly two years in their own flat, and they usually saw each other no more than a couple of times a month, and that was strictly on weekends. Yet here he was, in the middle of the work week.
Has something happened? Margaret asked instead of a greeting.
Arent you pleased to see me? Tom tried to joke, but one look at his mothers stern face made him blurt, Ive left Sophie.
What do you mean, left? she demanded, her voice sharp.
She wouldnt stand for nonsenseher job as a prison officer at the youth facility had shaped her into someone who rarely joked. Tom shuffled his feet and mumbled, We had a row.
And? she pressed, meeting his eyes. Are you going to come running home every time you argue with your wife?
Were getting divorced! Tom blurted, almost angrily.
Margaret continued staring, her expression saying she expected a reason, nothing less. With a sigh, Tom admitted, She wanted me to pitch in with chores, but Im already exhausted after work.
And what, did you break something trying to help out? Margaret refused to sympathise.
She said the same thing, Tom argued. I told her a womans meant to look after the home.
Where on earth did you pick up that rubbish? his mother snapped, losing patience.
She was tired after her shift, and just wanted a shower, a bit of peace, dinner with her husbandnot this. And to hear her son spouting some medieval nonsense? Shed spent her whole life with her husband, and never had they spoken like that. Theyd always worked side by side, shared chores, raised kids together with no silly divisions. And now, suddenly, Tom thought himself the man of the house.
Im talking to you! she barked, so sharply it couldve made anyone less than her son run for cover. Whered you get these stupid ideas? Did you wear yourself out hunting mammoths? You both work, youre both breadwinners. That means you both keep the house ticking over. Did you ask her to quit and become a housewife? No? Then stop making a show of it. Have you ever seen your father and me argue over household stuff? Nobecause weve got enough sense to pull our weight together.
Just then, Dad came home from work. Seeing Tom, he asked in surprise, Is something up?
Even the questions are the same, Tom thought to himself, before replying out loud, Sophie and I are splitting up.
Well, youre a fool, Dad said shortly, carrying the grocery bag into the kitchen.
Richard, our sons an idiot, Margaret told her husband, outlining the reason for the spat.
So what, is he staying here now? Richard asked Margaret, then turned to Tom. You know what spouse really means? Its someone who pulls alongside you, in harness. If one refuses to muck in, the other has to pull the load for both. Then the cart either breaks downor one of you drops.
Tom considered this, battling residual annoyance toward Sophie. Hed hoped his parents would take his side, yet theyd done the opposite. They carried on, ignoring him, unpacking groceries and settling into their routine, making it clear he wasnt their concern, nor did they plan on pampering him.
Tom stared at the domestic harmony and couldnt fathom how two such tough people could be so gentle with each other.
So what are you doing here? his father said sternly. Go and make peace with your wife! Stop worrying about who owes whatjust look after each other and help, thats what matters. Off you go; your mum and I have our own lives.
Tom left his parents house feeling bewildered. It wasnt the reception hed expected, but somehow, his annoyance at Sophie had faded. He recognised hed been part of the problem, blowing a petty quarrel out of proportion. But he did come away with one certainty: he wanted to build a family as happy as the one his parents had created.
