Sarah stood before the open fridge, rubbing her temples. Once again, all the food had mysteriously vanished. Shed only just cooked a hearty meal yesterday, but now the shelves were bare. She couldnt fathom where it all went surely her husband Gerald couldnt have eaten everything by himself?
Confronting Gerald proved pointlessit always ended in a shouting match. It grated on her nerves that hed been at home for two months now, still looking for work, while she worked long shifts as a shop assistant, only to spend nearly all her wages on groceries that simply disappeared. Sarah had grown used to nibbling on dry toast and sipping weak instant coffee in the mornings. After work, exhaustion hit so hard that cooking felt impossible, and yet Gerald seemed to assume she’d be coming home with a full stomach.
The train leaves first thing tomorrow. Im going to stay with Adam for a bit. He needs my help, Gerald hollered from the living room.
Sarah barely caredshe felt dreadful. In the morning, she awoke feverish and decided to stay home, curling up with some paracetamol and her duvet.
A sudden clatter woke her from her doze. Pots banged in the kitchen, the fridge door swung open again and again, and someone was humming tunelessly. Confused, Sarah dragged herself out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen. There, to her dismay, stood Geralds sisterwhom Sarah barely knew and rarely saw.
Maureen, Geralds sister, had never minded dipping into her brothers purse, and it was no secret that family emergencies often meant Sarah and Geralds house lost more than a packet of biscuits. Sarah watched as Maureen rummaged through the cabinets, stuffing packets, cheese, and apples into her enormous handbag.
Morning, Sarah said.
Maureen spun around in shock. Youre meant to be at work!
Im not well today. Does Gerald know youre here?
He left his keys for me, Maureen replied. Just popping by for a few things for the kids.
So, its not Gerald with the monstrous appetite after all. Youre the one with sticky fingers.
Its for your nephews and nieces, Maureen sniffed, not the least bit embarrassed. Ive got every right.
Only Gerald isnt earning a penny at the moment, and youre taking food we can barely afford. Feeding two families without being told, thats not what I signed up for.
You want me to beg your pardon for a bit of ham? I thought you were supposed to be generous, Sarah.
I want my keys back, or Im calling the police. Gerald hasnt a claim on this flat. Take your things and go.
Over a cheap bit of ham? Dont be so dramatic! Here, take your silly keys. Ill tell him what a lovely wife hes got.
Do what you want. Soon enough, hell find someone else to raid your fridge.
When Maureen left, Sarah slumped to the kitchen floor in tears. All this time, shed been made to look the fool for not realising the real culprit behind the empty fridge was her sister-in-law. The worst of it was that Gerald clearly knew about it and covered for Maureen with the tale of his own bottomless stomach.
Sarah thought of Geralds mother, always helping herself to whatever she fancied. No wonder her children behaved the same way; in Geralds family, no boundary seemed to exist. Anyone could drop round, help themselves without so much as a by-your-leave, and Sarah was left to foot the bill.
For hours, Sarah sat and thought it over. In the end, she called Gerald and told him shed started divorce proceedings.
Lets be civil, Sarah. Ill come home and well talk it through, Gerald pleaded.
Theres nothing to discuss; everything is perfectly clear now, she replied, her voice steady.
Some people never change, she realised, and trying to hang onto whats broken only wastes precious years. As Gerald faded into the distance, Sarah knew she was finally putting herself firstand thats when true freedom begins.
