Emily and James were getting ready for their wedding. The day before the celebration, Emilys mum, Margaret, came over to meet Jamess mum, Patricia. They had the meeting at Patricias house in Manchester, chatting about wedding details and sharing a meal. The next morning, as Margaret was leaving, Emily walked her out.
So, what do you think of James? Emily asked.
Hes a good lad, her mum smiled, but then sighed deeply.
Mum, whats wrong? Emily frowned.
Love, just be careful with his mother. Theres a lot you dont know about her yet.
Those words soon made sense.
When Emily found out her mother-in-law planned to move in with them, she told James straight:
Youll have to chooseeither me or your mum.
Im not choosing, James said calmly. We stay as we are, and Mum sorts her own problems.
So you wont let her move in?
Already told her no.
Howd she take it?
Not well. Called me ungrateful and said Id regret it.
Figures
Patricia had retired earlyshed worked years as a flight attendant.
Thats it. Ive done my time, shed decided, settling on a decent pension, definitely more than most.
But she quickly realised it wasnt enough for her lifestyle. The solution? Pass the bills to her son.
I raised you, put you in good schools. Now its your turn to step up, she told James when he was just 23. Starting next month, you cover rent and groceries.
Fine, he said. But if Im paying, you stay out of my life.
She agreedand, to be fair, she never bothered him. She wasnt too interested in his life anyway. James had mostly been raised by his grandparents while she chased her own dreams, with little success.
Years passed. James grew up, moved out, and got a proper job. For five years, he paid her rent and kept her fed while she spent her pension on herself.
When Patricia turned fifty, James brought Emily home.
Youre so put-together! Emily said awkwardly at their first meeting. You dont look like a retired woman at all.
When Patricia heard the newlyweds would be living with her, she was thrillednot because she wanted company, but because she wouldnt have to cook anymore.
Emily thought she meant well, but James set her straight:
Mum didnt have the nerve to say no. Ive been paying for everything myself the last five years.
Margarets visit soon shattered any remaining illusions:
Love, be careful. That woman lives for herself. Shell drop you the second its inconvenient. Stick by your husbandI like him. But his mum? You drew the short straw.
Six months later, Patricia fell in love. A man named David started coming around more often. Then, out of nowhere
Youve got two weeks to move out. Im selling the flat. Moving to Edinburgh.
Youre joking, James said, stunned.
Why? Its my flat. My parents gave it to me.
And youre kicking us out?
Yes. Its all legal.
James silently grabbed his jacket and left. That evening, he and Emily packed their things, moving in with a mate who had a spare room. A month later, Patricia sold the place and left with David.
A few days after that, James tried borrowing money from her:
No, of course not. Ive got plans for my money, she said coldly.
Right. Good luck, then.
Same to you, she smiled, not even hugging him goodbye.
A year passed. Patricia calledDavid had left her, taken her savings, and vanished. She was alone, with no home. She came back and announced:
Im moving in with you.
No. Use whats left, get a mortgage.
A mortgage? At my age? On my pension?
Find work. Sort yourself out, like everyone else.
So you wont help me?
I owe you nothing, Mum.
She screamed:
You ungrateful brat! I raised you!
Just following your example, James replied quietly.
Patricia crashed with friends until her money ran out. Rejection after rejection. Then she turned up at Jamess door again.
Mum, youre not sick or old. Get a job. Rent a room. Figure it out.
Dont you feel sorry for me?
No. You remind me of that grasshopper the one that sang all summer.
Later, Patricia sorted herself outnot with a job, but by marrying the first bloke whod take her. At least she had a roof over her head.
But thats a whole other story
