I suppose Ill have to stay with you for a while, declared my mother-in-law. Janes response stunned her.
Listen, Will, Jane said, settling herself into the armchair and fixing her gaze on her husband, your mother was living independently only a week ago. She had her own flat, a job, plans for her futureand suddenly she urgently needs our help?
Will ran a nervous hand through his hair, knowing he couldnt keep the truth from Jane. The trouble, as usual, had started with one unfortunate phone call three days past.
It was Saturday morning, I recall, and Mrs. Margaret Smith phoned Will with a voice more fragile than Id ever heard. Will, lovesomethings happened, she began.
Whats the matter, Mum?
Well do you remember old Mr. Charles Brown from next door?
Will tensed at once. Mr. Brown was that retiree with a merry twinkle whod shown keen interest in Margaret half a year back. Will had warned her he seemed a rogue, but she wouldnt hear it.
So whats happened?
Margarets voice wavered. Hes turned out to be a swindler, WillI lent him money, a good sum, with a note of hand but now hes run off, and the note is worthless.
Will felt a familiar cold fear settle over him.
How much did you lend him, Mum?
Most of my savings, she whispered, and I mortgaged my flat as well I told myself Id pay it back quickly, but now the bank wants early repayment and I havent got a penny.
Oh Mum, how could you?
He said he was starting a business, promised to return it allwith interestwithin six months sobbed Margaret, and I thought well, we might marry, I wanted to help.
Calm down, Mum. What do we do now?
Her tone sharpened as if remembering herself. Ive got a plan. Ill sell the flat, pay off the bank, and move in with you for a while. Theres room enough in that three-bed of yours.
Wills headache began at once.
But Mum, thats really Janes flat.
Margaret bristled. Will! Have you forgotten all Ive done for you? And now youre telling me your wifeyour wifemight leave her husbands mother on the street?
No ones putting you out, Mum.
Well then! Her tone went brisk. Its settled. The estate agents arranged everything. By Wednesday, the paperwork will be through and my things will arrive Thursday. Youll free me up a little roomIll hardly take any space at all.
Mum, I must talk it through with Jane first.
Whats to discuss? Her voice rang steel. Youre the man of the house, arent you? Its your duty to look after your mother!
Formally speaking, the flat belongs to Jane, Will tried to explain.
Oh! So youre living off her, are you? Im ashamed of you, Will.
Its not like that, Mum.
Fine. Ill finish it by tomorrow. Be here to help me pack.
The line went dead.
That evening Jane came back from her yoga class, cheerful and relaxed. When she saw Will making supper, she immediately sensed something weighty.
Whats wrong? she asked, hanging up her coat.
Mum rang today.
Janes smile faltered. Her relationship with Margaret had always been rather icy.
And?
Shes shes in a bit of trouble.
What kind of trouble?
Will recounted the whole sorry tale of Mr. Browns trickery. Jane listened silently, shaking her head now and then.
So what does she want to do? she asked at last.
She intends to move in with us.
I see, said Jane, sitting at the table. And what do you think?
I cant see another way. Shes lost everything.
Jane raised an eyebrow. Is she sure thats her only option? What about renting a place? Or staying with relatives? What about the council, or charities that help the elderly?
Shes my mother, Jane.
And that gives her the right to dictate our lives? Jane leaned back and gazed steadily at Will. Lets not pretendyour mothers never taken to me. Four years married, she hasnt missed a chance to hint that Im a useless wife.
Will kept silent, for it was true.
Remember what she said at Lucys birthday? A proper homemaker would never buy ready-made piesshed make them herself, and Id only just got home from the office at nine oclock!
She didnt mean to hurt you.
Oh didnt she? Jane let out a sharp, bitter laugh. How about her remarks about proper wives having babies within two years? Or her habit of moving my things where she thinks they ought to be?
Will rubbed his forehead. Each tiny moment, trivial in isolation, had grown into a bleak pattern.
Shes just controlling, he tried weakly.
Exactly! Jane stood. And you want her controlling our home and our lives too?
But where else can she go?
Will, shes an adultlet her take responsibility for her own mistakes, Jane replied firmly. Once shes sold her flat, shell have money to rent, or buy something smaller.
That cash will only pay off the mortgage.
Then she can ask the council for help, or find some work. Plenty of people in their seventies still work, you know.
Jane, you cant mean
No, she said flatly. I wont live under the same roof as someone who despises me. Its not about the flat being mineits that I wont let our home become a battlefield.
Couldnt it just be for a little while? Will suggested. Until she finds something?
Jane looked at him with a sad smile. Do you believe shed ever look for another option? Shes manufactured this so she has nowhere to go but here.
You think she did it on purpose?
What do you think? Jane stood by the window. A seventy-year-old retired accountant is suddenly unaware that she shouldnt hand all her savings to a stranger? She simply used the whole situation as an excuse to get what she wantedmoving in with us.
Will said nothing. Deep down, he knew Jane might be right.
Will, said Jane softly as she turned from the window, I love you. But I wont let anyoneyour mother includeddestroy our marriage.
He came and put his arms around her.
What do I do now? he asked.
What grown men do, Jane replied. Explain to your mother that you have your own family now. Tell her you care for her, but your life is your own.
She wont understand.
Then thats for her to work throughnot you.
The next day Will rang his mother. The conversation was fraught.
What do you mean were not ready? Margaret complained. Everythings arrangedIve sold the flat!
Mum, we can help with some money, find you a place to rent, pay your first few months.
Money? Margaret snorted. Ive got my own son, my own family. I need proper help!
Mum, its not charity. Its just what I can do.
Your decision? Her voice trembled with hurt. I gave you everythingmy very best years! And this is how you repay me?
Im grateful, Mum. But Im an adult now. Ive got a family of my own.
Family? Im your family! Margaret burst out.
Mum, enough.
Oh, enough, is it? Her voice frosted. Very wellyour choice is made. Live your own way. Dont expect a call from me, even if youre desperate.
She hung up.
Will told Jane everything.
She said I betrayed her, he sighed.
Classic manipulation, Jane replied evenly. Shell get over it. When my father passed, my mother tried to move in too. She was upset when I refused, but now shes grateful to have her own life, her own interests.
What if she really falls ill?
Then well help her, of course. That doesnt mean she must live here.
A tense week went by. Then Wills sister, Alice, phoned in distress.
Will, she said, her voice frightened, Mums in hospital. A heart attack.
What? When?
The doctors say its stress. Selling her flat, arguing with youit was too much.
Will was awash with guilt.
How bad is she?
Shes lying there, sobbing. Keeps saying, My son will only regret it when Im gone.
Alice
I know its emotional blackmail, Alice said tiredly, but Im still worried.
That evening Will told Jane.
Lets go visit her, she said unexpectedly.
Are you sure?
Absolutely. She needs to see were here.
Margaret looked fragile and withdrawn in her hospital bed, turning her back on them as they entered.
Mum, Will said quietly, How are you feeling?
Do you really care? came her muffled reply.
Mrs. Smith, Jane interjected gently, can we talk?
Margaret slowly turned.
What is there to talk about?
That youre in a difficult spot. That were ready to helpbut not in the way you imagine. Well help you find a nice place to live, pay some of the rent, visit often, invite you over. But living together isnt possible.
Why not? Margaret asked, and for the first time, her voice was softer.
We need our own spaceand so do you. Youre used to being mistress of your home. We have our own routines.
And what if I get ill?
Then well comeany time, day or night. But that doesnt mean living together.
Margaret was silent a long time. At last, she asked quietly, Will you really help me find a good place?
Of course, said Jane.
And youll visit?
Yesand youll always be welcome at holidays. Youre going to be grandmother to our future children.
Margarets eyes glistened. Future?
Were planning for it, Jane smiled.
I thought Margaret whispered, I thought you didnt want me near you at all.
We do, said Jane. Just not on those terms.
A month later, they found Margaret a comfortable two-bedroom flat overlooking the park. They helped her settle in, introduced her to the neighbours. She joined a crafters club and befriended another lively pensioner.
Thereafter, she visited once a week. And when Jane gave birth to a daughter a year later, Margaret became the best grandmother imaginable.
You know, Jane, she confided one afternoon, Im glad you said no before. Id have let life pass me by if Id moved in. Now Ive found so many new interests!
Jane smiled.
We did the right thing.
Cradling their baby, Will reflected on the importance of saying no to even those dearest to us. Sometimes, thats what truly saves love.
And what would you do if your relatives tried to solve their troubles at your expense?
