The phone rang. Without even saying hello or acknowledging her son, Jacks mother barged into the flat, brushing her son aside.
Well, come on then, my dear daughter-in-law, what secrets are you keeping from your husband? she demanded.
Mum? Whats happened, Mum?
When Jack came home, the flat was quiet. His wife, Helen, had told him this morning that shed need to stay late at work. Upper management had decided on a surprise audit.
He wandered into the kitchen, looked into the fridgeno dinner. Jack sighed, switched the kettle on and made himself a couple of sandwiches, settling in front of the television.
After flicking through channels for a while, he finally found some boxing to watch. Just as he was about to enjoy his meal and the match, the doorbell rang. Jacks mother, Margaret Smith, swept into the flat like a gust of wind, barely glancing at her son as she pushed past him.
Jack, listen to me now! Its about Helen. Sandra told me everything.
Mum, whats going on? Jack asked.
Its just this: your wife Helen has another flat. Shes been letting it out and keeping all the money for herself!
Mum, are you really taking everything Sandra says seriously? Shes always gossiping, and you just sit there wide-eyed.
I know Sandra exaggerates, but this time shes sure. Because the niece of Sandras neighbour is renting Helens place at the moment.
The girl just got married, so she and her husband are renting from Helen. Theyre paying six hundred pounds a month, delighted at how cheap it is. Got it? And shes been letting that place for over two years already.
Well, thats a turn-up, Jack muttered. Why didnt she tell me?
Wait until Helen gets home and ask her yourself. But honestly, its obvious, isnt it? Shes building up a nest egg to leave you. Soon as shes saved up, shell be off. Might even take you to the cleaners, Margaret insisted.
Helen came home about an hour and a half later. By then, Jack and his mother were waiting. Margaret decided not to leaveshe was far too curious about how her daughter-in-law would explain herself. To keep occupied, she whipped up a quick dinner and served it to her son.
When Helen entered the room, both Jack and his mother were staring at her intently.
Margaret began, Come on, Helen, lets hear itwhat secrets have you got from your husband?
None at all, as far as I know, Helen replied.
Nothing, you say? What about the flat on Oxford Road, number 43?
Helen looked surprised. Whats my flat got to do with any secrets from my husband?
Youve been letting it out and hiding the money! said Margaret.
Honestly, Helen, Jack added quietly, wheres this flat come from, and why did you never tell me you were renting it out? What are you doing with the money?
The flat belonged to my Aunt Rosethat is, she was my mums cousin, so I suppose my cousin once removed, though family trees arent my strong suit.
Aunt Rose died nearly three years ago. I did tell you, Jackyou even said at the time that Id finally stop fussing over the old woman.
And when I asked you for help organising the funeral, you said you were snowed under at work and hadnt got the time.
Whyd she leave you the flat? asked Margaret.
I suppose because nobody else bothered to visit her, apart from me, Helen replied.
So why didnt you tell Jack about the inheritance? Margaret pressed on.
And why should he be involved? Its my inheritance.
What do you mean, why? Hes your husband! Margaret shot back, scandalised.
So what?
Are you trying to be thick? Margaret demanded. The rent money should go into the family pot, but youve been spending it all on yourself.
I have, because Im entitled to. An inheritance is personal property! Anything I sell or make from it likewise belongs to me. Ive no obligation to account for it to anyone, said Helen firmly.
But Helen, last year when my car broke down, I spent a fortune getting it fixedput two work bonuses into that. And all that time, you had money set aside and didnt offer any help? Didnt expect that from you, Jack cut in.
Jack, its your car. You drive it. And when I ask for a lift, you always say youre too busy or its out of your way, and tell me to get a taxi.
Last year, you gave me a lift three times: to the supermarket just before Christmas, once from work when you forgot your keys and didnt want to wait two hours at the door, and to the hospital when I twisted my ankle.
So why should I pay for repairs on a car I never use?
Margaret jumped in, And how much have you saved, then? A fortune, I suppose.
Theres a decent amountbut not a fortune. Jack, do you remember youve got two daughters at university? When did you last send them any money? Helen shot back.
Theyve both got jobs, Jack answered.
They have part-time work, but if they worked enough to support themselves completely, theyd have no time to study.
All right, so why didnt you tell me about the inheritance from the start? Jack asked.
Because I didnt want this sort of interrogation two and a half years ago, thanks. And theres another reason: I saw what happened when your mum interfered in your younger brothers marriage.
Oh, here we gowhats that supposed to mean? scoffed Margaret.
What do you call it then? You spent a year haranguing Laura about her flat: Whats the use of that poky bedsit? Lets sell it and buy a holiday cottage, itll be lovely in the summer.
You all sold her place, bought a cottage, and whose name did you put it in? Yours, Margaret! Now Laura cant go down to stay there with her family without your say-sonever mind invite friends for a barbeque!
But she can work your vegetable patch. No thanksIm not playing that game.
Youre shameless, Helen! Margaret cried. You only ever think of yourself.
I learned from the best, Margaret, Helen replied.
Jack, are you hearing this? Your wifes being rude to me!
Im telling the truth. The minute you heard about the inheritance you rushed round. Why? To let Jack know?
Well, now he knows, and what next?
To insist I dont hide the money from the family, that it should go towards family expenses.
It does go towards the family. Just the needs I see as most important. Not to fix Jacks car and not to upgrade your cottage.
We couldve discussed what to do with it all together, said Margaret.
You really think, at forty-six, I cant manage my money?
You should think about everyones interests! Margaret exclaimed.
Whose interestsyours? Thats exactly why I kept quiet. I wanted this money for myself and my girls!
And thats how itll stay. So, Margaret, you might as well forget about my inheritance as if it never was, said Helen flatly.
So, youll just spend it yourself?
I will.
And you wont share it with your husband? asked Margaret.
I will if I feel its needed. Like I saiditll be spent on my family.
So Im not family, then?
Margaret, my family means myself, my husband, and our children. The rest are relatives, Helen replied.
In the end, Margaret failed to get anything out of her daughter-in-law. Still, she didnt give up and came up with new reasons from time to time to demand her fair share.
But Helen wasnt swayed by any of Margarets tricks. She knew her own mind. As the English say: Stand your ground and know your worth.
And perhaps thats the lesson: Respecting boundaries and understanding what truly belongs to you can be just as important as generosityespecially within a family.
