But thats my mother!
What overdue payment? You must be mistaken, we havent got any loans… Yes, the Matthews family, yes, our address, but… How much? That cant be right. Whose name is the loan in? Julia was flummoxed, her voice half disbelief and half dread.
In the name of Mr. Andrew Matthews, came the reply.
Thats my husband, but how could he? And why? Julia was now completely thrown.
Im sorry, the callers tone softened, but rules are rules: deadlines have passed, today is the reminder, and if ignored, therell be other consequences.
Julia barely recalled walking into the lounge and sitting before the computer, shock coursing through her. She needed to find out for herself how this debt had appeared. Shed never even seen a credit card in her husbands name. So, the money hadnt gone to their family. What was going on?
Any hope of working that day was gone; her thoughts spun around the bizarre phone call. Julia waited anxiously for Andrews return:
Whos the money for? Did someone ask you to take out a loan?
Didnt make it in time, they called you after all, Andrew grumbled, realising hed given himself away, and snapped, Why are you looking at me like that? Its for Mum. She needed the help; shes on her own…
And what does she need such a sum for? We manage with less, and both of us work?
Holiday. She wants to go away.
And wheres she off to, the Maldives? Barbados?
My mother raised me alone, she deserves it. You, of all people, I thought would understand…
Andrew strode off in a huff, flopping heavily into an armchair and turning his back to hera trademark performance meant to guilt trip his wife. Julia, however, didnt take the bait this time.
She simply stopped talking. Julias mother-in-law, Iris Matthews, had always had far too much influence in their lives. She loved to demand things. From the very first moment Julia met her, Iris had been prying. On seeing the earrings Julia wore, Iriss eyes lit up: were those real sapphires or just glass?
Hearing that Julia never wore anything fake, Iris was quick to moan:
What a needless expense! Would have been better to spend it on something useful for the home.
Julia was dismayed. It was a present.
Well, thats different then, Iris calmed at once.
A week later, Andrew awkwardly asked Julia not to wear those earrings when visiting his mum. Apparently, it distressed Iris to not have such things, and Andrew couldnt afford to buy her a similar pair.
Such incidents sowed early doubts in Julias heart, but she dismissed them in a rush of affection. The wedding followed. Iris looked the picture of elegance, her outfit and gift perfectthough, as Julia learned later, Andrew had paid for it all. Otherwise, Iris threatened not to attend her own sons wedding.
Afterwards, the demands rolled in: a bigger TV like her friends, a special hair dryer, treatments at a beauty salon, and more. Always urgent, always now. If not, Iris would resort to tears and complaints about her health; Andrew could never bear her sobbing and would spring to her rescue.
But shes my mum, he would insist again and again. How could I not?
But Andrew now had a family of his own, a family whose expenses were suddenly outstripping both their paycheques. How could that be? Julias reasonable questions were met with shrugs and condescension:
Maybe youve yet to learn how to run a household budget. Mum could teach you a thing or two…
But Julia had no intention of learning from Iris. Shed crossed paths with women like her beforeoverbearing, insatiable, always the matriarchand preferred to stay well out of reach.
This latest debt was the breaking point: a lavish holiday, the cost of which could have paid three months rent on their flat, spruced up all their rooms with high-end furnishings, even left enough over for a proper celebration at Londons finest bistro.
Andrew showed no sign of changing: all for Mum, always. Maybe Julia could have forgiven itafter all, its ones own motherbut taking out a loan behind her back? If something happened, the repayments would have landed on Julias shoulders, and as always, Iris would avoid blame.
It was time for a serious conversation. Andrew needed to choose where his loyalty lay, or at the very least, explain to his mother that her expectations had soared impossibly high. Instead, he exploded, accusing Julia of heartlessness and materialism:
I cleared that debt! Ill pay it off completely, so why are you on at me? Yes, Mum wont go to some rundown spashe wants first-class and so she should! She gave me everything. Now you begrudge her a holiday?
But what about us? We cant afford these whims. Shouldnt she understand that?
No, you need to understand: my mother is a saint…
Julia realised at last that Andrew had no intention of changing. Iriss jealousy was just as clear: every day, shed ring and beg, Come see me, Andrew, I miss you! And Andrew would drop everything and race across the city to her.
After last nights row, the couple went to work in silence. By midday, Julia felt so unwell she could barely stand. Her worried colleagues bundled her off to the GP. It was there she learned she was expecting a baby. Sharing this news, she hoped, might finally prompt Andrew to rethink their finances.
But Julias hopes were dashed. Andrew was horrified. He begged her to delay the baby, insisted on getting rid of it. Then Iris began calling, and, unlike her son, did not plead, but demanded:
I refuse to be a grandmother! What are you playing at? Trying to trap him with a baby? Well, it wont work; Andrew will leave younothing will keep him.
Hell leave? Why?
Oh please, I know my own son. Hes been looking for an escape since day one. Do as he says, or youll be raising a child alone, not a penny in support.
A dizzy spell overtook Julia; she came around to the familiar but surprising voice of Mrs. Graham, her mother-in-laws neighbour and now her nurse.
Julia, finally awake? Mrs. Graham smiled. Didnt expect to see me here, huh?… Well, better you never did! For a moment, we thought wed have to chooseyour life or the babys.
What?!
Its alright, both of you are fine. Now, tell me what happened to bring you here?
After hearing the whole story, Mrs. Graham looked grim and gave Julia firm advice:
Leave that family behind. Andrew will never change, and that mother of his will keep driving out every woman he meets. She bled his father dryhe worked himself into an early grave to meet her demands. And Andrews just the same, hell never go against her.
But he married me…
Frankly, it surprises me he managed that. You know how many women legged it after their first meeting with Iris? Decide your future, love. Oh, and what does Andrew think about being a dad?
Upon hearing Julias answer, Mrs. Graham muttered something unflattering under her breath. Those words proved a turning point: Julia knew she could do this alone. Andrew, in his ignorance, had made the choice for them both.
Julia filed for divorce as soon as she was fit to return to work. Andrew did nothing to save the marriage. She kept their daughters existence to herselfno calls, no messages.
A year passed in newfound peace. Julia and her little girl were strolling through the local park when that unmistakable voice called out:
Well, what a surprise. Why have you kept my granddaughter from me?
This isnt your granddaughter, Julia replied evenly. The child you and Andrew insisted shouldnt be born… wasnt. This girl is mine, only mine. And yes, she already has a grandmother.
How dare you…
I dare, I do. If the title of grandmothers so important, why not find Andrew a more suitable wife?
With a smile, Julia walked away, not sparing a thought for the angry shouts trailing behind her. She knew shed done the right thing, leaving behind an overbearing mother-in-law and a husband who could never grow up. Life was finally hers, and her daughters, alone.
