HE WILL LIVE WITH US
A sharp ring announced a visitor. Molly tossed her apron aside, wiped her hands, and moved to the door. On the threshold stood her daughter, Mabel, arminarm with a young man.
Hey, Mum, Mabel planted a quick kiss on Mollys cheek. Meet Eddie hell be staying with us.
Hello, the lad said, offering a polite nod.
This is my mother, Aunt Molly, Mabel added.
Lydia, corrected her, Mollys my aunt.
Whats for dinner, mum? Eddie asked.
Pea purée and sausages, Lydia replied.
I dont eat pea purée, Eddie said, slipping his shoes off and heading toward the living room.
Mum, Eddie never eats peas, Mabel whispered, eyes wide.
Eddie flopped onto the sofa, dumping his backpack on the floor.
Thats actually my room, Lydia said.
Eddie, come on, Ill show you where well be sleeping, Mabel called.
Its fine here, Eddie muttered, pushing himself off the couch.
Mum, think of something to feed Eddie, Mabel urged.
Im not sure. Weve only got half a packet of sausages left, Molly shrugged.
Itll do with mustard, ketchup, and some bread, Eddie replied.
Alright then, Molly said, marching to the kitchen. She used to bring home kittens and puppies, now shes brought a soninlaw. Feed him.
She ladled out the pea mash, laid two fried sausages on a plate, nudged a bowl of salad closer, and began to eat with gusto.
Mum, why are you eating alone? Mabel asked as she entered the kitchen.
Ive just come back from work and Im starving, Molly said, chewing. If anyone wants food, they can serve themselves or cook. And I have a question for you: why is Eddie moving in?
How come? Mabel blurted. Hes my husband.
Mollys fork clattered. Husband?
Exactly. My daughters an adult; she decides who to marry. Im nineteen, you know.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding, Mabel snapped.
There was no wedding, we just signed the papers. Now were husband and wife, so well live together, Lydia said, eyeing her mothers halfeaten plate.
Congratulations, Molly managed. Why no ceremony?
If you have money for a wedding, you could give it to us. Well find a use for it.
Got it, Molly said, still chewing. Why our flat?
Because their onebedroom flat is cramped four people in a single room.
So you didnt consider renting elsewhere?
Why rent when I have a spare room? Mabel replied.
Right.
What about food, then? Molly asked.
Mabel, theres a pot of mash on the stove, sausages in the pan. If thats not enough, theres half a packet in the fridge. Help yourself.
Mum, youve got a soninlaw now, Mabel said, emphasizing the last word.
So what? Do I have to dance around the kitchen for this? Ive just come from work, Im exhausted. Use your own hands and feet, Molly retorted. Thats why youre still single!
Mabel glared and slammed the bedroom door. Molly finished her meal, cleared the dishes, wiped the table, and retired to her own room. She changed into gym clothes, grabbed her bag, and headed to the local fitness centre. She was independent, spending several evenings a week in the gym and pool.
Near ten oclock she returned home, expecting a hot cup of tea. Instead she found the kitchen in chaos, as if someone had tried to cook and failed miserably. The pot lid was missing, the mash had dried and cracked, a packet of sausages lay open on the counter, stale bread without its bag, a scorched pan with its nonstick coating scraped by a fork, dishes piled in the sink, and a sticky sweet puddle on the floor. The air smelled faintly of cigarettes.
Wow, thats new. Mabel never did anything like this, Molly muttered, opening the bedroom door. A couple of young people were drinking wine and smoking.
Mabel, clean this mess up. Youll buy a new pan tomorrow, she said, heading back to her room without closing the door.
Mabel leapt up and chased after her.
Why should we clean? Im a student, I dont work, so where will I get money for a pan? You think the dishes are a burden? she shouted.
Listen, Mabel, heres how this house runs: eat, then clean; make a mess, then clean; break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yes, Im sad about the pan it wasnt cheap, and now its ruined.
You dont want us to stay, Mabel snapped.
No, Molly replied calmly. Ive got nothing to argue about. I never had any trouble with you before.
But this is my share too, Mabel protested.
No. The flat is mine, all of it. I paid for it, I own it. Youre just on the tenancy. Dont expect me to solve your problems. If you want to live here, follow the rules, Molly said, her voice steady.
Ive lived under your rules my whole life. Im married now, and you cant tell me what to do, Mabel shrieked. Youre old, you should give us the flat.
Ill give you the hallway outside and a bench in the park. So, youre married? Did you ask me? Youre sleeping here alone or with your husband somewhere else. He wont be moving in, Molly retorted harshly.
Fine, Eddie, were leaving, Mabel shouted, grabbing her things.
Within minutes Eddie crashed into Lydias bedroom, drunk and swaying.
Calm down, mum, everythingll be fine, he slurred. Mabel and I arent going anywhere tonight. If you behave, well even be… affectionate later.
What am I to you, mum? Lydia snapped. Your mum and dad are still at home, so get a grip and dont forget your new wife.
Right, right, Eddie snarled, raising his fist.
Lydia grabbed his knuckles with manicured fingers, squeezing hard.
Ahlet go, you lunatic, he howled.
Mum, what are you doing? Mabel screamed, trying to pull her mother away.
Lydia shoved Mabel aside, kicked Eddie in the groin, then slammed her elbow into his neck.
Ill document this assault, the bruised Eddie threatened. Ill take you to court.
Wait, Ill call the police so they can record everything, Molly said.
The couple fled the tidy twobedroom flat.
Youre not my mother any more, Mabel yelled, and youll never see my grandchildren.
What a tragedy, Molly replied, dripping irony. At least Ill have a quiet life.
She stared at her hands, some nails broken. Only losses from you lot, she muttered.
After they left, she scrubbed the kitchen, threw away the ruined mash and pan, and changed the locks. Three months later, her daughter appeared at work, gaunt, cheeks hollow, a look of misery on her face.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
I dont know yet, Molly shrugged. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Mabel whispered, saliva forming. And a proper Christmas salad.
Then lets buy a chicken, Molly said. Youll have to make the salad yourself.
Mabel asked nothing else, and Eddie never reappeared in their lives.
