Became the Housemaid
When my mother, Margaret, announced her intention to marry, I couldnt hide my shock. My wife, Emily, turned pale at the news, and the two of us exchanged uncertain glances over the dinner table.
Are you really sure about turning your life upside-down at your age? Emily asked quietly.
Mum, is this really necessary? I interjected, nervously fiddling with my spoon. I get it, youve spent most of your life raising me and being on your own, but getting married now… isnt it a bit out there?
She answered calmly, Youre both young, so you see things differently. Im sixty-three, and none of us knows how long we have. I have every right to spend the rest of my time with someone I love.
Well, at least dont rush into signing papers, I pleaded. Youve only known this Peter for a few months. Youre ready to change everything already?
At our ages, its wise not to wait about. Time isnt on our side, she responded. And what more do I need to know? Hes two years older, lives with his daughter and her family in a three-bedroom in Oxford, gets a decent pension, and he owns a holiday cottage.
Emily frowned. And where do you plan to live? We only have enough space for the three of us. Another person just isnt possible.
Dont worry, Peter has no interest in moving in here. Im going to move to his place; the flats spacious, his daughter and I get on quite well, and everyone is grown up. Therell be no drama.
I was uneasy. Emily tried to reassure me. Maybe were being selfish? Yes, your mum helps out so much, especially looking after Sophie. But she deserves her own happiness, and if she can have it, we shouldnt stand in her way.
Its not just living together. Why get married? I really dont want a bride in white or a big wedding with games, I complained.
Theyre traditional, love. For some, having a proper ceremony makes it feel secure, Emily reasoned.
In the end, Margaret married Peter. Shed met him by chance in the park. She soon moved into his flat. At first, it was all fine. His family welcomed her, Peter was kind, and Margaret truly felt shed finally found happiness in her twilight years. Life was something to celebrate, at last.
But it wasnt long before the realities of living in a new household began to show.
Could you make a roast for dinner? asked his daughter, Anne, one evening. Im swamped at work and could really use some help. Youve got more free time than I do.
Mum got the hint and took on all the cooking. That soon grew to shopping, cleaning, laundry, and even running errands to Peters cottage.
Now were married, the holiday cottage belongs to us both, Peter declared. Anne and her husband cant get away much, and the little one is still quite young, so well take care of everything.
Margaret didnt protest. She liked being part of a big, welcoming family built on support and teamwork. Shed never had that with her first husband, whod been lazy and sly, and who had scarpered for good when I turned ten. That was twenty years ago, and no one knew what became of him. Now, life seemed to have put everything right, so all these chores didnt feel burdensome, and the tiredness didnt breed resentment.
Mum, what are you doing digging up vegetable beds? I tried to reason with her on the phone. Youll be sore for days after a trip to the cottage do you really need that?
Of course I need it! I enjoy it, she said cheerfully. Peter and I will grow plenty of veg, enough to share with you all.
Still, I had my doubts. Months passed and no one invited us round, not even for tea to meet the new relatives. Wed asked Peter to ours he always had an excuse, never enough time, never enough energy, so eventually, we just accepted it. Clearly, Peters family werent bothered about keeping up relations. The only thing Emily and I cared about now was that Mum was happy.
For a while, she was. But the list of chores just grew and grew, which made her uneasy. Peter, arriving at the cottage, clutched his back or moaned about his heart. Shed tuck him up to rest, then haul branches, scoop up leaves, cart off rubbish to the compost herself.
What, soup again? grumbled Peters son-in-law, Jack. We had it yesterday. Thought wed get something different today.
I didnt have time to cook anything else, and I couldnt get to the shops today, Mum would say apologetically. I spent most of the day cleaning curtains and rehanging them Im knackered.
Fair enough, but Ive never liked soup, Jack would complain, pushing his bowl away.
Tomorrow, Margaret will whip up a feast, dont you worry, Peter would chime in.
And sure enough, Margaret spent the next day in the kitchen, slaving away so the meal would be polished off in half an hour flat. After that, shed tidy up while everyone sat around. This pattern became routine. Gradually, complaints from Anne and Jack grew over every little thing, and Peter began siding with them, blaming his wife for anything that went wrong.
Im not a girl anymore. Im tired, and I dont see why I should do everything myself, Mum finally said during one heated evening.
Youre my wife. Its your role to keep the house in order, Peter replied.
If Im your wife, I deserve not just duties but rights too, she sobbed.
Shed calm down, and next morning shed be cooking breakfast and tidying round, eager to keep the peace. But one day she couldnt hold it together. That afternoon, Anne and Jack were heading to a friends party, wanting to leave their young daughter with Margaret.
Let the little one stay with her granddad or take her along. Im visiting my own granddaughter today, she answered.
What makes you think we should rearrange our plans for you? snapped Anne.
You dont have to, but Im not obliged to either, Mum reminded her. Its my granddaughters birthday. I told you days ago. Not only did you all ignore that, you now want to make me miss it altogether.
Honestly, this is ridiculous, Peter fumed. Annes plans are all in bits now, and surely itll be fine if you visit your granddaughter tomorrow instead.
Itll be fine if the three of us go visit my children together, Mum said firmly, Or you can look after your granddaughter here until Im back.
I knew no good would come of this marriage, spat Anne, She cant cook, the place isnt as tidy as it should be, and frankly, she only ever thinks of herself.
After all Ive done here this year, you still think that? Margaret asked Peter. Tell me honestly were you looking for a wife, or just a live-in housekeeper to meet everyones needs?
Youre being unfair, and putting all the blame on me, Peter retorted, rubbing his eyes.
I just asked a simple question, and I deserve an honest answer, she insisted.
If thats how you feel, then do as you see fit. My house wont stand for any lack of commitment, Peter intoned, pompously.
In that case, I resign, said Margaret. She packed her belongings and her granddaughters birthday gift.
Will you take back your useless old gran? I saw her half-joking as she lugged her suitcase. Got married, came home again Ive had enough. Just say if I can stay or not.
Of course you can, Emily and I rushed to hug her. Your rooms waiting and were glad youre back.
Are you just glad for my sake? she probed, wanting to hear the words she needed.
Why else would anyone be glad to see family? Emily said, baffled.
At that moment, Margaret knew she wasnt anyones servant. Sure, shed helped with chores and minded her granddaughter, but neither Emily nor I ever took advantage, never expected her to do more than she felt comfortable with. At home, she really was just Mum, Gran, and family, never a maid.
Margaret soon divorced Peter and came home for good, determined to put the whole ordeal behind her. And I learnt a vital lesson: never sacrifice your self-worth for someone elses comfort, especially if they only want a servant, not a loved one. Family should always cherish, not exploit.
