No, weve decided its best you dont bring your wife and child into this flat. We cant endure the inconvenience forever, and eventually well ask you to move out.
Your wife will then go around telling everyone we kicked her and the baby onto the street.
The neighbour in the adjoining room immediately saw that Emily had returned from her husbands side looking upset. Both women had become mums just three days ago, and they were due to be discharged the day after tomorrow. A joyous occasion no cause for gloom.
Emily, you look pale. Whats happened? the neighbour asked.
James told me the landlady ordered us to leave straight away. Shed let the flat to a couple without kids, and now we plan to bring a baby. She says the neighbours will complain, she wont have any trouble, Emily replied.
And what, you have nowhere else to go?
Jamess parents own a threebedroom house, but his younger sister lives there too. My parents are in the village, about twenty miles out of town, Emily answered.
Well, you could stay a week or two with the inlaws while you find a new place, the neighbour suggested.
James has already been looking, but as soon as landlords hear about a little one they turn you down, Emily said.
True, but give it two more days your husband will think of something.
James, however, came up empty. He called several listings, got refusals, and simply moved their belongings from the rented flat to his parents house.
His parents and younger sister werent thrilled about having Jamess family move in, especially with a restless infant in the mix.
Son, remember we agreed before your wedding you wouldnt live with your wife in our home, his mother said. You may keep your room, but we dont want strangers under our roof.
And Emily is a stranger to us. To you shes your wife, to us shes an outsider. You chose her, we didnt.
Mother, its only temporary until we find somewhere suitable, James pleaded.
Nothing permanent is more lasting than a temporary solution. A week becomes a month, a month becomes forever.
No, besides both my dad and I work, your sister is at university. We all need proper rest. With a baby in the flat you cant speak loudly, you cant watch TV, and you must be ready to wake at any hour to a screaming infant.
Well try to find a place faster, James promised.
No. Weve decided its best you dont bring your wife and child into this flat. We cant put up with the inconvenience any longer and will ask you to leave.
Then your wife will tell everyone we threw you and the baby out, ruining our reputation. I dont want that. So dont even think about bringing Emily and the child here. Sort it out another way.
With that, James headed to the health centre.
Listen, Emily, maybe you could stay with your parents for a while? he asked.
Isnt your mother keen to see her grandchild? Emily wondered.
I dont know, mum said we shouldnt go over, James replied.
Fine, wonderful. Other families with kids get flowers, gifts, and a warm welcome. Were treated like unwanted strangers, Emily snapped.
That evening she called her parents. The day after she and her son were discharged, her father arrived, accompanied by Jamess father.
Pack up, love, were going home. And you, her fatherinlaw said to James, bring all of Emilys things and the babys gear.
The drive to the village took about thirty minutes. By the time they arrived, a tiny nursery was ready: a baby cot dressed in bearandrabbit prints, a small chest of drawers for clothes, and a comfortable feeding chair.
In the sitting room a table was set for a celebratory lunch. No strangers were present, only Emilys parents, her grandmother, and her younger sister, Sarah.
Jamess side of the family werent mentioned at the meal, but the conversation turned to what to name the boy. They settled on Oliver.
James left for the city right after lunch, promising to bring the rest of Emilys things the next day.
When he returned, good news awaited.
Emily, James, her father said as the family gathered, your mother and I have decided to sell my motherinlaws house and give the proceeds to you.
Well present it as a gift from our family to Emily, on one condition: the house were living in now will, by will, go to Sarah. Are you happy with that?
Absolutely, Emily replied.
Then Ill advertise the sale tomorrow, he added.
The house sold in three months. During that time Emily and Oliver lived in the village, while James stayed in the city with his parents, coming home on weekends to see his wife and son.
Another month and a half passed while they searched for a mortgage, secured a new flat and refurbished it.
Finally the day arrived when Emily, James and little Oliver moved into their own home. They spent a month settling in, arranging everything, and then held a housewarming.
Emily invited her parents, friends and Jamess mates. Jamess parents were absent; they only learned by accident that their son had bought a property.
When James collected his things, his mother thought they were merely moving to another rental.
What, you invited the countryside folk to a housewarming and never mentioned you now own a place? she said over the phone. You could have invited us!
We havent even met our grandson yet. Your behaviour isnt exactly familylike, she added.
Is refusing my wife and newborn to our flat supposed to be familylike? James asked.
Ive explained were old, we need peace, his mother replied. But can we still visit?
Why would we?
Because Oliver is our grandchild.
My sons only half a year old, yet you suddenly want to see him now. Strange, isnt it?
Its not strange. When he was a newborn there wasnt much to look at all babies look the same, she said.
I think its more about you fearing Id bring my family into your flat and youre guarding your walls like a fortress, James retorted.
While Emily stayed with her parents, you never tried to meet the grandson. Now that we have our own place, you expect us to drop by uninvited. Were not ready to welcome you yet, James said.
Youre offended, then? his mother asked. I was even planning to invite your wife and child to stay at our cottage all summer.
What brings that on? James was baffled.
The child needs fresh air. Its already hot in May in the city, and in summer itll be unbearable.
My wife could stay at the cottage alone, no one would mind. My dad and I only come on weekends.
This October I have a holiday, he has one in November. We wont take any money from you, just a few cucumbers from the garden so they dont overgrow.
Got it, Mum. You wanted a summer handmaid for the cottage. No need, well manage ourselves. If we want Oliver out for fresh air, hell go with Emily to her parents.
The first time Jamess mother and sister saw Oliver was when he was two and a half, by chance in a shopping centre. They looked from a distance but didnt approach.
So go on, thats what grandmas and mums are like.
