Became a Housekeeper
When Elaine announced she was getting married, her son and daughter-in-law were completely taken aback and had no idea how to respond.
Are you really sure you want to turn your whole life upside down at this age? Rebecca asked, glancing at her husband.
Mum, isnt this a bit drastic? Sam said, clearly anxious. I get youve been on your own for years and pretty much dedicated your life to raising me, but getting married now seems a little daft.
Youre young, thats why you see things that way, Elaine replied calmly. Im sixty-three, and none of us knows how much time we have left. I have every right to spend these years with someone I love.
Well at least dont rush into signing papers, Sam tried to reason with her. Youve only known this George for a few monthsisnt it too soon to be making such big changes?
At our age, you shouldnt waste any time, Elaine mused. What is there to find out? Hes two years older than me, lives with his daughter and her family in a three-bedroom flat, gets a decent pension, and has an allotment.
So where are you going to live? Sam was confused. We all live together here, but theres no room for one more.
Dont worry yourself; George isnt after our square footage, Elaine reassured them. Ill move in with him. The flats spacious, I get on well with his daughter, everyones an adultno reason for any rows or drama.
Sam fretted, and Rebecca tried to help him understand and accept his mums choice.
Maybe were just being selfish? Rebecca pondered. I mean, lets face it, its convenient that your mum helps us out, looks after Chloe a lot. But she should be able to have her own life. If shes got the chance now, we shouldnt stand in the way.
Living together, I can get, but why does she need to get married? Sam said. I dont fancy a bride in white or a party with party games at their age.
Well, maybe it just gives them a sense of security, Rebecca tried to justify. Old school folk feel better with official ties.
In the end, Elaine did marry George, a man she met by chance strolling down the high street, and soon moved into his flat. At first, everything seemed alright; the family welcomed her, her new husband was kind, and she genuinely believed that, late in life, shed finally earned her chance at happiness. She started enjoying each day. But soon, living as part of Georges family brought its own surprises.
Would you mind making a roast for dinner tonight? Georges daughter Hannah asked one afternoon. Id do it myself, but works manic and Ive barely got a minuteplus youve got lots of free time.
Elaine got the hint and took over all the cooking, which quickly turned into doing all the food shopping, cleaning, washing, and even trips to the allotment.
Were married now, so the allotments our joint territory, George declared. Hannah and her husband dont have time to go, the granddaughters still little, so well do it all together.
Elaine never complained; being part of a big, busy family was everything shed hoped for. Her first husband never delivered on thata lazy, cunning man who eventually upped and left when Sam was only ten. Twenty years went by with not a word from him. Now, everything seemed right, and the endless busywork didnt even bother herit felt good.
Mum, are you sure you should be working yourself to exhaustion at the allotment? Sam asked, concerned. You probably get high blood pressure every time. Is that worth it?
Of course! I like it, Elaine replied, cheerful. Well grow plenty with George, therell be enough to share with you lot, too.
But Sam worried. After months, no one had ever invited them over, not even just to meet each other. Sam and Rebecca did invite George a few times, he always promised hed come but there was always some excuseno time, no energy, and so on. They gave up in the end, accepting that their new relatives didnt seem keen to foster any closeness. All they wanted was to know that his mum was happy and doing alright.
For a while, thats how it was, and Elaine enjoyed the work and the busy that came with it. But gradually, the jobs piled up and began to wear her down. George, whenever they went to the allotment, would immediately complain about his back or his heart hurting. Elaine would tuck him up to rest and then do all the heavy lifting herselfbranches, clearing leaves, taking rubbish to the skip.
Borscht again? Georges son-in-law, Anthony, made a face. We had it yesterday, I thought wed get something different tonight.
I havent had time, and I didnt make it to the shops today, Elaine apologized. I spent all afternoon washing the curtains and hanging them back up, Im shattered and my heads spinning, so I just lay down for a bit.
I get that, but I dont like borscht, Anthony said, pushing his plate aside.
Tomorrow, Elaine will treat us all to a feast fit for a king, George piped up.
And so, the next day, Elaine spent hours in the kitchen for it to all vanish in half an hour. After that, she cleaned, on and on. The grumblings from Georges daughter and son-in-law grew, and George began siding with them, making out that Elaine was at fault.
But Im not a kid, I get tired, and why should I be doing everything? Elaine finally said, after another round of complaints.
Youre my wife, so youre responsible for keeping the house in order, George reminded her.
That might be so, but being your wife means Ive got rights, not just duties, Elaine answered, close to tears.
Shed soon pull herself together, go back to trying to please everyone and keep the peace. Still, one day, she snapped. Hannah and her husband were going to visit friends and decided to leave their daughter with Elaine.
Let the little one stay with her granddad or take her with you, because Im off to see my own granddaughter today, Elaine told them.
Why should our plans have to revolve around you? Hannah fired back.
They dont, but I dont owe you anything either, Elaine replied. Its my granddaughters birthdayI told you on Tuesday. Not only did everyone ignore it, now youre trying to keep me at home as a babysitter.
Thats just not right, honestly, George flushed with anger. Hannah had everything planned, and your granddaughters far too small to notice if youre there today or tomorrow.
She wont mind, but how about this: we can all go to my familys for a visit, or you stay with your granddaughter while I go, Elaine insisted.
I always said it wouldnt end well with this marriage, Hannah grumbled. Her cookings mediocre, she hardly ever keeps the place clean, and she only thinks of herself.
After everything Ive done here, you really think that? Elaine asked George. Be honestdid you want a wife or a housekeeper for everyones needs?
Youre being unfair, trying to make me the bad guy, George said, blinking rapidly. Dont start an argument over nothing.
Im not, I just want a straight answer, Elaine held her ground.
If youre going to talk like that, do what you want, but in my house that attitudes not on, George said, prideful.
Well, in that case, I quit, said Elaine, and started gathering her things.
Will you take your useless grandma back? she asked, hauling her bag and Chloes birthday present. Went off and got married, came straight back home, dont even ask about itjust let me know, am I welcome?
Of course! Sam and Rebecca rushed over. Your rooms waitingwere delighted youre back.
Are you really? Elaine wanted to hear those words so badly.
Why else would we be happy to see family? Rebecca smiled.
Then Elaine knew for sureshe wasnt a servant here. Sure, she helped out with the house and looked after Chloe, but Sam and Rebecca were never cheeky, never took advantage. Here, she was just mum, a grandma, a mother-in-law, and a real member of the familynot a maid. Elaine moved back in for good, filed for divorce herself, and tried not to dwell on what shed been through.
