Emily, where are you off to? Max asked, surprised to see her heading for the bedroom.
To the bed, what else? she answered wearily.
And the dishes? Max snapped.
All the guests had already gone. The party had been loud and merry. Only his mother was still at the house, but she was already in her own room sleeping. Emily packed the leftovers into containers, shoved the plates into the sink and decided that was enough. Max disagreed.
Ill wash them tomorrow! Or you can do it yourself if you like!
Max, my mum is staying over. I cant even imagine her face in the morning if she sees this mess!
Oh, come off it! Dishes aren’t the point. The important thing is the party went well. We had a great time, even danced! Im sleepy. Please dont nag me. Ill wash them tomorrow; Im exhausted today.
Feeling faint, love?
Imagine! While you were out horsing around, I managed to clean the whole flat, cook enough food for a crowd, even dress the tree. Thank heavens the kids helped. You promised youd come home early and pitch in.
I couldnt. The car broke down. I told you!
And Im telling you nowI want to sleep! If you dont like the sink, you know where the sponge and detergent are. Get on with it! Im going to bed!
Emily stopped arguing. She was exhausted to the core and just wanted to reach the pillow and close her eyes.
Max lingered on his phone, never moving to the sink. He was tired too, but went to bed in a sour mood. He worried that tomorrow his mother would chastise him for his wifes shortcomings, yet he still refused to touch the kitchen.
They all woke late on January1, having gone to bed around four in the morning. Margaret Thompson had danced so hard the night before she slept the longest.
Emily was the first adult up. Instead of grabbing a dishcloth, she brewed a coffee and settled down to read a story online. That was her usual start to the day, and she wasnt about to deny herself that pleasureespecially on the first day of the year. The smell of coffee drifted into the kitchen and woke Max.
Good morning! he said, glowering at the dishes. Still not washed?
Same to you! Good morning, sunshine! Lets keep it that way. If you want coffee, help yourself; Ive brewed two cups in the kettle.
He poured himself a mug and sat at the table. Remembering he hadnt tasted the cake yesterday, he cut himself a slice.
Want a piece? he offered.
No, breakfast carbs are evil. I ate enough yesterday. Ill be on crackers for two days. Enjoy, my lean cypress! she teased, pointing at the slight belly protruding from his Tshirt.
Ha! Ill burn it off at the gym later!
Fine, fine! Eat if you like. Its your business!
Max sipped his coffee, nibbling the cake, and his mood brightened.
Has Lucy gotten up? he asked about their daughter.
She got up, had her cereal with milk, then went back to bed, I think. I didnt see her, just heard her.
Their motherinlaw slipped into the kitchen almost silently. Max tensed, expecting a scolding, but she surprised him.
Oh my, Ive always dreamed of seeing this scene! Margaret said with a smile.
What do you mean? Max was puzzled.
If you knew how dreadful it is to wash dishes after New Years or any big celebration. Its pure torment! Im so glad youre not like your father!
What are you getting at? I thought it would drive you mad!
Nonsense! It was actually your father who drove me nuts. He always insisted the dishes be done the night before, meaning I had to do them. We fought over it several times. I eventually gave in, washing them at night while hating him. I often gave in to his domestic demands
Maxs father had died five years earlier from a heart attack. Their mother had moved on, but now she was spouting odd memories. Max had always thought shed been the one who started every cleaning crusade, but her words suggested otherwise.
Mum, are you serious?
Of course! Your father was obsessive about cleanliness. It drove me mad, but he had many good qualities, so I had to accept it. Sometimes it was so irritating I kept the house in almost surgical order. I sometimes think thats why he died so youngbecause he overvalued empty things, like unwashed dishes after a party.
Thats a bit much, Mum!
Emily didnt intervene; she was so engrossed in her phone she barely heard them.
No, son, thats how I see it. My old friend George was likewise haunted by trivial worries. Its sad. I tried to explain, but thats how he was raised. Remember your grandmother? She was a cleanliness fanatic, pushing the children to be perfect. Maybe thats why he turned out the way he did. Im just saying! she turned to her daughterinlaw. And you, Emily, well done! Dont let the provocations get to you!
What? Emily snapped, looking up from her phone when she heard her name.
Well done, Im proud you left the dishes for the morning! Ive always wanted to be that way. And you, Max, well done for not pestering your wife over nothing!
Right, Im not pestering! Emily smiled, recalling their argument, but didnt want to rebuke him in front of his mother.
Thats exactly how I feel! Margaret said, pouring herself tea. The wife does all the holiday prep, the husband barely helps with the cleaning, and even then not always. So for fairness, he should get the worst part!
The worst part? Max guessed.
The most miserable! his mother snorted, pointing at the sink. Come on, Emily, lets watch TV and look at yesterdays photos. We took a lot. And Max, finish your coffee, then you can tackle the dishes!
Oh, I support that! Max, you have such a sensitive and fair mother! Im thrilled! Emily replied with a disarming smile, standing up with her nowcold coffee.
They left the kitchen together, leaving Max alone. He stared at the piledup sink, grimaced.
Why did I even start this argument! he muttered, turning the tap on.
If they were both there, he might have found an excuse, but against his mother there was no escape. Thus a new tradition was born in their stillyoung marriage, one Emily adored and Max despised.
Life isnt always fair.
