Well, there you go! exclaimed Alex. Its just as it should be the last word always goes to the man.
Early that morning, the Efrem family were paid a visit by their eldest grandson from London, whose wedding theyd recently attended. Alex had come down for some potatoes, as he always helped his beloved grandma and granddad both plant and dig up the crop.
So, do tell me, Alexhows life with your Emily? his grandma asked eagerly as she bustled around the kitchen.
Oh, you know, Gran its different every day, replied Alex, less than enthusiastically. Some days one way, some days another
Hang on now, Granddad John cut in, raising an eyebrow. What does that mean, different? Surely youre not arguing already, are you?
Well, not really arguing, no. Its just were still trying to work out whos in charge at home, admitted Alex.
Good heavens, sighed Grandma Mary with a hint of laughter, thats not much to figure out. It should be pretty obvious, really.
Right you are, chuckled Granddad. Everyone knows the real boss in the familys always the wife.
Oh, you do carry on, came Marys voice from beside the oven.
Granddad, are you serious? Alex gave him a look of confusion. You cant mean that?
As serious as Ive ever been, John insisted. If you dont believe me, go on and ask your gran. Mary, love, whose word counts most in this house, eh?
Oh, dont start all that nonsense, Grandma replied affectionately.
No, but really, tell him, John pressed. Who has the final say on things around here, you or me?
Well, I suppose… I do.
How? asked Alex incredulously. Im not sure I ever saw that here! I always thought the man should take charge in the house.
Oh, do stop it now, Alex, laughed Granddad again. A real family works a bit differently than you might think. Let me tell you a couple of stories, and youll see for yourself.
Here we go, murmured Grandma, half under her breath. Hell be telling you about that old motorbike next.
Which motorbike? Alex looked puzzled.
The one thats been rusting away in the shed for more years than I can count, confirmed Granddad. Its nearly a century old now. And do you know, your grandmas the one who made me buy it?
Gran made you? Thats hard to believe.
She did. She even gave me the money for ither own savings! But thats getting ahead of thingstheres a story before that.
One time, Id managed to earn a bitjust enough for a motorbike and sidecar, which I thought would be perfect for hauling potatoes back from the allotment we had out on the edge of the village, John began.
So I told Mary here I wanted to buy a motorbike. She was having none of it! Said we should buy a colour telly insteadback then, that was a big dealand insisted I could keep carting spuds home on my pushbike like Id always done.
Chuck your sack on the crossbar and off you go. You always managed before, she said. Well, I told her hers was the last word in the matter. So we bought the telly.
And the motorbike? Alex wasnt following.
We bought that too but much later, Mary sighed. After your granddad put his back out and left me to heave almost all the potatoes myself. Nearly did my back in, too!
It was after wed sent the pigs off to market that November, she continued, I gave him all the money I got and told him, Off you go, buy your blessed motorbike and sidecar.
And the next autumn, John picked up, luck brought us a bit more money. I said we needed to build a new garden shed. The old one, left from my parents days, was falling apartroof rotten through, walls as well. But your grandma dug her heels in again. Lets buy proper furniture, like decent people have. Once more, I told her, Fine, your words final. So we furnished the house.
And then in spring, what do you think? The old shed collapsed under a heap of snow, Mary finished. From then on, I told John to do as he saw best.
Well, there you have it! cried Alex triumphantly. So, in the end, the mans last word stands.
Thats not it at all, Alex, Granddad chuckled. Before I do anything, I always come and say, Mary, thinking of redoing the fireplace. What do you reckon? And whatever she says, thats what happens.
And since those days, I always say, Whatever you think best, dear, well do.
So, you see, Alex, in any proper home, the last word belongs to the wife, John concluded warmly. Do you get it now?
Alex pondered for a moment, then burst out laughing. When the laughter had passed, he looked thoughtful again, and a smile slowly spread across his face.
All right, Granddad, I think I get it now. Ill head home and tell Emily, Fair enough, love, well take that holiday in Spain just like you want. I wont be sending the car in to get the clutch fixed just yet. If it conks out, well, so be it well just have to catch the bus to work all winter. Well have to wake up earlier, but thats not the end of the world, is it? Have I got the right idea, Granddad?
Spot on! Granddad grinned. Give it a couple of years, and youll see. Everything in the family will balance itself out.
And let the wife be the boss at home, he added. Trust me, makes life easier for everyone. I speak from experience.
Life always works best when we learn to listen, not just speaksometimes peace at home is just letting go of having the last word.
