Youre not his wife, youre just a servant. You have no children!
Mum, Eleanor is staying here. The flats under renovation; its uninhabitable. Theres a spare bedroomwhy leave it gathering dust? said Eleanors husband, Mark.
The idea seemed to amuse him, something he could never say about his wife or his mother. Marks mother never liked her daughterinlaw.
I have to work; I cant stay here, Eleanor whispered.
Eleanor worked from home, needing absolute quiet. Mark spent the whole day at the office, so sharing a roof with his mother was anything but easy. Eleanor was used to being alone, and the thought of anyone intruding on her space grated on her nerves.
She stared at her motherinlaw, unable to find a single word. The older woman refused to let Eleanor run the house, yet there was clearly no alternative. They all gathered around the kitchen table for dinner.
Eleanor, could you pass your signature salad? Mark asked.
Mark, dont eat that chemistry. Ive made you a different oneits much healthier, the motherinlaw protested.
Eleanors expression hardened. Mark was allergic to tomatoeshow could his mother forget? When Mark was a boy, she never bothered with such details. Theres no need to run to the doctor, shed say, a pill will sort it out.
Hes allergic. Why did you put tomatoes in the salad? Eleanor demanded.
What are you on about? Its just one tomato; nothing serious will happen, the motherinlaw replied.
Hell get sick.
Eleanor, calm down. He isnt allergic. His own mother knows him better than you do.
Im his wife. I look after my husband.
Youre not a wife; youre a servant. No children! When you have some, well talk then.
Eleanor ripped herself from the table and fled to the bedroom. The motherinlaw always seemed to hit the soft spot. Mark rushed to comfort his wife.
Mark, Im sorry. Ill go back to my parents place, or the office. I wont live under your mothers roof.
Let me talk to her. Shell stop!
No, weve gone over this a million times. Well never get on living together.
They agreed to rent a flat for a while, avoiding another family blowup. The motherinlaw, of course, bristled with complaints, but she had no choice. And Eleanor couldnt help but feel a surge of gratitude for the kind, understanding husband she had.
