What do you mean you wont take care of my sons child? snapped the mother-in-law, unable to contain herself.
To begin with, I never turn my nose up at little George, replied Rita. Just to remind you, Im the one in this house who comes home from work and then does a second shift cooking, cleaning, and doing the laundry, as any decent wife and mother would. I dont mind lending a hand or giving advice, but I have no intention of taking on full parental duties.
And whats that supposed to mean you wont? Is that what youre like, a hypocrite? came a sharp retort.
Youre unbelievable, Rita. Who wants to work if they dont get paid? Predictably, at the school reunion, Sally couldnt help herself from passing judgment on everything and everyone.
But those days were long gone when Rita would be lost for words. Now, she could stand up for herself and had no intention of letting Sally get away with her biting comments.
If you worry about where the next quid is coming from, that doesnt mean everyone lives like that, Rita replied with a casual shrug. I inherited two flats in London from my dad one we lived in before my parents split, and the other passed down from my grandparents. The rents not cheap there, as you can imagine its more than enough to live on and enjoy a few luxuries. So, I can afford to be choosy about work I dont have to take just anything for the pay. Isnt that why you switched from being a nurse to working in a shop?
That was meant to be a secret. Rita had promised not to say a word.
But if Sally wanted to keep it private, she really should watch what she says especially not call Rita an idiot in front of everyone.
Did she honestly think Rita would let that slide? If so, perhaps Sally wasnt the clever one here.
A shop assistant, really?
You promised not to tell! Sally squealed, grabbing her handbag and storming out of the restaurant, near tears.
Well, serves her right, Andrew commented after a moment of silence.
Yes, exactly. Shes been unbearable lately. Who even invited her? Tanya asked.
I invited everyone, Anna, the old class rep and now reunion organiser, said in a slightly apologetic tone. Yes, I remember Sally wasnt the easiest person at school, but people change. Or at least, some people do
But not always, Rita replied and the group burst out laughing.
Soon enough, attention turned to Rita herself and her work. The curiosity was genuine this time (with no digs at her choices or intelligence), so Rita was happy to debunk a few myths and misconceptions about her job.
Why bother helping kids like that if theres no point? asked one old classmate.
Who said theres no point? said Rita. I have this little boy, five years old. Things went badly wrong during birth, he had a lack of oxygen, so now he has developmental delays. But actually, his prognosis is good he just started talking a bit later, and now his parents take him to speech therapists and neurologists. Theres every chance hell join a regular class at school, and hell probably have no major problems down the line. If they hadnt worked with him, though, things would have been very different.
So basically, since you dont need to chase after a pound, you went into a field where youre making a difference? summarised Val.
After that, the conversation shifted to everyone elses lives and families.
Suddenly, Rita felt as though someone was watching her. She ignored it at first, putting it down to paranoia, but the odd sensation returned. She glanced around, but there was nobody paying her any attention. She laughed at herself and enjoyed catching up with old friends, soon forgetting the feeling entirely.
A week passed.
Early one morning, just about to drive to work, Rita found her car blocked in at her flats car park. She rang the number posted in the windscreen of the offending car. A young man answered with heaps of apologies, promising to come and move the vehicle straightaway.
Im so sorry I had errands to run and there was nowhere else to park, he said, hurrying up to her with a sheepish smile. Im Max, by the way.
Rita, she replied, instantly warmed to him. There was something about Max the way he carried himself, his clothes, even his aftershave that put her at ease. So much so, that easily she agreed to go on a date with him.
One date became two, then before long, she couldnt imagine life without Max.
His mother and his son from a previous marriage, George, accepted Rita as one of their own.
George had his challenges, but Ritas professional experience made it easier for her to connect with him. She even shared new techniques with Max, helping him bond with his son and support Georges social development.
After a year together, Rita moved in with Max and George, renting out her own flat as usual through the same London agency that handled her other properties.
Thats when the first warning bells sounded.
They started out small Could you help George get ready? or Would you mind watching him for half an hour while I pop to the shops? At first, Rita didnt mind, since she and George clicked, and she wasnt busy at those moments.
But over time, the requests grew more demanding.
Rita had to have a chat with Max: George was Maxs responsibility first and foremost. She was prepared to help where she could, but she wasnt willing to take on more than her fair share of caring for Maxs son. After all, she spent her working hours with children with special needs, and George was not her child.
Max seemed to understand, but then, just before the wedding, he and his mother started talking about Georges therapy programme and it quickly became obvious they were assuming Rita would be handling it in her spare time.
Hang on a minute, interrupted Rita. Max, we agreed from the start that youd be responsible for your son.
I dont expect you to go round cleaning my mums house, doing her DIY or sorting out her issues. I manage all that myself, Rita continued.
Thats different, Maxs mother scoffed. Shes an adult, lives on her own, a mother is a mother. But a child a child is different.
So after the wedding youll keep ignoring George, and thats just fine with you? she added sarcastically.
Im not ignoring him, Rita replied. And Id like to remind you that I already come home from work and do a second shift looking after this household as any good wife would do. But I am not taking on Georges therapy too. Thats Maxs job as his father. Im happy to offer guidance, but I wont be taking over full parenting duties.
What do you mean you wont? So youre just a big talker, happy to impress your friends at reunions with stories about your work, but when it comes to looking after a real child, you run in the other direction? accused the mother-in-law.
What on earth are you on about? asked Rita, confused.
Then it struck her. Maxs mother worked as a kitchen porter at the very restaurant where Ritas school reunion was held. It all added up.
Ah, so you both planned this foist your child on me because of my job?
And did you really think Id be all that keen on you if not for George and your work? Max snapped back. If it werent for George and your skills, Id never have looked twice at you
Well, then dont. I wont stop you looking elsewhere. Rita yanked off her engagement ring and threw it at her now ex-fiancé.
Youll regret this! threatened Max and his mother. No decent bloke would ever want a mousy woman with a dead-end job and no money.
Ive got two flats in London, so moneys not a problem, Rita shot back.
She enjoyed watching the shocked look on Max and his mothers faces as she went off to pack her things.
Of course, Max tried right away to make up with her. He promised hed take responsibility for George from now on, that hed never speak to her that way again, that he loved her and couldnt live without her and would do better in the future.
But Rita wasnt fooled. She simply joked that hed let the mouse go, and it didnt look like she was the one with any regrets.
Later, she and her school friends laughed about the whole thing. And Rita never lost hope that one day shed meet someone who loved her not for her money or her skills, but for who she truly was.
For now, she was more than content with her job, her friends, and looking after herself. Besides, she could always get a cat at least they can be trained better than some men.
And so Rita learned: no matter how things look, never let others take advantage of your kindness or talents. True relationships are built on respect and love for the person you really are not for what you can give.
