The doorbell rang Without so much as a hello, chasing her son out of her way, Mrs. Parker burst into the flat. “Well, then, dear daughter-in-law, care to tell me what secrets youre keeping from my son?”
Mother? Whats all this about, Mum?
When Edward got home, the flat was silent. His wife, Grace, had told him that morning that shed be latemanagement had decided to launch a surprise inspection at work.
Edward wandered into the kitchen, peeked in the fridgeno supper in sight. With a sigh, he switched the kettle on, made himself a couple of sandwiches and settled in front of the telly.
He flicked through the channels for a bit, finally stopping on a football match. But he didnt get to enjoy it for long.
The doorbell rang, and standing at the door was his mother, Margaret Parker. She stormed inside, not bothering with a greeting, elbowing Edward out of her path.
“Edward, listen to what Ive just heard! Vanessa told me all about it.
“Whats happened, Mum?” he asked.
Well, seems your wife Grace has another flat shes been renting out, pocketing the money for herself!
“Oh, Mum, why do you listen to daft old Vanessa? She keeps her ear to the ground for any gossip, and you lap it up.”
I know Vanessa can be a bit dramatic, but this is true! Because the flats being rented by the niece of Vanessas neighbour, Mrs. Collins.
“This young couple have just got married, right? Theyre renting Graces flat for five hundred quid a month and are happy as Larry because its a steal. See? And shes been letting it out for more than two years! These arent her first tenants.”
“Now thats a turn up,” Edward said thoughtfully. “But why didnt she ever mention it?”
Well, ask her when she gets home from work. Its obvious, though: shes stashing away the cash, ready to leave you, the minute shes saved enough. Youll be left with nothing but the shirt on your backas per usual! declared Mrs. Parker.
About an hour and a half later, Grace arrived. Her husband and mother-in-law were both waiting, Mrs. Parker deciding not to leaveshe was itching to see what explanations Grace would come up with. To look busy, she cooked supper and made sure Edward was fed.
When Grace stepped into the room, two pairs of eyes looked at her with expectation and suspicion.
Mother-in-law spoke first:
“So, tell me, dear, what secrets do you have from your husband?”
“None that I can think of,” Grace replied.
“None, you say? And what about that flat on Rosewood Drive, number forty-three?
“What does my flat have to do with keeping secrets from Edward?” Grace asked, confused.
“Because youre renting it out and hiding the money from him!” snapped Mrs. Parker.
“Is that so, Grace?” Edward finally chimed in. “Where did this flat come from, and why havent you told me about letting it out? Also, where’s the money going?”
“The flat belonged to my mums cousins aunt, Mrs. Simmons. Technically, she was my great-aunt, though family trees confuse me,” said Grace.
“Mrs. Simmons passed away nearly three years ago. I told you about it, Edward. You said, Well, at least you wont be running errands for the old dear anymore. When I asked you to help arrange the funeral, you told me you were swamped at work and didnt have time.”
“And why did she leave you the flat?” Mrs. Parker wanted to know.
“Probably because no one else ever visited her but me,” Grace replied.
“So why didnt you tell Edward about the inheritance?” Mrs. Parker pressed on.
“And why should I? What does it have to do with him?”
“What do you mean, why? He is your husband!” fumed Mrs. Parker.
And so? Does that mean everything I inherit is his business?”
“Are you being deliberately daft? The rent money should go into the family pot, but youve been spending it all on yourself!”
“I spent it because I have every right to. Inheritance is my personal property, and anything I make from itwhether I sell it or rent itis also mine. Im not obliged to account for every penny to anyone,” Grace retorted.
“Listen, Grace, last year I spent a fortune fixing our carput both my Christmas bonuses towards it. Now I find out you had cash tucked away? I didnt expect that from you,” Edward interjected.
“Edward, thats your car. You drive it. When I ask you for a lift, you say youre busy or its not on your way, and you tell me to get a taxi. You drove me three times last year: to the supermarket before Christmas; to fetch me from work when youd forgotten your keys; and to the A&E when I twisted my ankle. So tell me, why should I fix a car I barely use?”
So, how much do you have saved up then? pressed Mrs. Parker. Must be thousands.
Theres a bit, not a fortune. Remember you have two daughters at uni, Edward? When did you last send them money? Grace inquired.
They seem to be working, dont they? said Edward.
Theyre juggling part-time jobs with studies. But if they work full-time, when are they supposed to study?”
“Why didnt you just say you had inherited a flat?” Edward asked.
“Because I didnt want this sort of cross-examination two and a half years ago. Also, your mum set the perfect example with your brothers wife and her flat she owned before marriage. Remember how you lot convinced her to sell it and buy a cottage?”
“How else would you call it? For a year you pecked at Roxanne: Why do you need that pokey flat? Lets sell it and buy a place in the country. You sold her flat, bought a cottageregistered it in your name, Mrs. Parker! And now Roxanne cant go there with her family without your say-so, never mind inviting friends for a barbecue! But she can dig your vegetable plots, how generous! Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Shameless, you are, Grace!” shouted Mrs. Parker. “You only ever think of yourself.”
“I learnt from the best, Margaret,” replied Grace.
Edward, do you hear? Your wifes being cheeky with me!
I just tell it like it is. You only rushed over here the moment you found out about my inheritance. Why? To have a say?”
“Of courseto make sure youre not hiding money from the family!”
“The money does go to my familyjust to those I consider family. Which means not buying you a new car, Edward, and not fixing up your cottage, Mrs. Parker.”
We could have discussed, together, where best to spend the money, Mrs. Parker insisted.
“Are you suggesting Im not capable of handling my finances at forty-six?”
“You need to think beyond yourself!” Mrs. Parker exclaimed.
“And who else? You? That’s why I didnt announce the inheritance. Id rather use it for myself and my children.”
And thats how itll stay. So, Margaret, its best for everyone if you just forget about my inheritance altogether, said Grace.
“So, you intend to keep it all for yourself?”
“Ill share when and if I see fit. I told you, it goes to my family.”
“And I suppose I don’t count as family?”
“Margaret, my family is me, my husband, and our children. Everyone else is extended family,” Grace replied.
In the end, Margaret Parker didnt manage to squeeze a penny from her daughter-in-law. She kept trying, dropping hints about her rightful share at every turn.
But Grace never caved. Margaret had finally met her match. As the English saying goes, She stood her ground.
Sometimes, its only by respecting each others boundariesand remembering that family isnt about who takes the most, but who supports the bestthat we discover the true meaning of togetherness.
