Eleanor, the motherinlaw, slammed my shopping bag onto the hallway floor.
Didnt you buy the right flour again? her voice rang through the whole flat. I told you, only the premium grade! Premium!
Emily stood in the kitchen, a bag of groceries in her hands, trying to stay calm.
Eleanor, the shop only had the basic grade. The premium wasnt in stock.
You should have gone to a different shop! Eleanor snatched the flour bag away. You cant bake a proper pie with this.
Ill manage. I always bake with the basic grade.
Im used to the premium, and James loves my pies. Hell barely tolerate yours.
Emily bit her lip, refusing to answer. Today she was picking her mother up from the hospital; there was no time for nerves.
Fine, Ill buy better flour tomorrow.
Tomorrow! Eleanor flapped her hands. And today? Are you going to leave James without a pie?
Ill bake with what we have.
No, Ill bake myself. Go rest.
Eleanor tied on her apron dramatically and started clearing the dishes. Emily slipped out of the kitchen quietly.
They had been living together for six months. Eleanor moved in after breaking her leg; James insisted his mother couldnt stay alone in that condition, promising it would be only a month or two. Six months later her leg had healed, but Eleanor showed no intention of moving out. She claimed the only bedroom, pushing Emily and James onto the sofa in the livingroom. Their twobedroom flat felt cramped all the time.
Emily checked her watch. Her mother was due to be discharged at four; she had to be on time. She walked into the study where James was glued to his laptop.
James, Im picking Mum up. Youll be home?
Yeah, Im not going anywhere.
Maybe you could come with me? Itll be hard for her to get up alone.
Emily, Ive got work. Deadline tomorrow.
Alright, Emily sighed. Ill manage on my own.
At the hospital her mother looked tired but relieved.
Finally home, she murmured, gathering her bags. Ive suffered enough in those walls.
Mum, how are you feeling?
Fine. Doctors say Im okay. Just rest and take the meds on time.
Back at the car, Emily buckled her mother in, loaded the luggage.
Emily, are you sure James isnt objecting? I could go to Sarahs, she offered.
Sarah? She lives on the other side of town with three kids. Youd stay with us until youre stronger.
What about your mother?
Emily tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
Mum, this is my flat. Ill buy it outright before we get married. Ill invite whoever I want.
Her mother sighed but didnt argue.
When they arrived, Emily helped her mother up the fourstorey staircase, unlocked the front door, and froze at the hallway.
Her belongingsclothes, shoes, cosmetics, bookswere piled in a heap right by the entrance, with a few curious kids from the building digging through the boxes.
Whats this? her mother whispered.
Emily slipped inside. Eleanor was at the kitchen sink, drying her hands.
Oh, youre back. Grab your stuff before the hallway gets blocked.
You you put my things out here?
Whats the problem? Eleanor replied calmly. I cleared some space. Your mother will be staying, so someone had to make room.
You could have told me!
Why bother? You said this was your flat. Deal with it.
Emily felt a flash of anger.
You threw my personal items into the hallway!
I didnt throw them, I took them out. Same difference.
What difference? The neighbours are looking, the children are rummaging through my things!
Take them back quickly.
Emilys mother, pale, stood in the doorway.
Emily, maybe I should really go to Sarah
No! Emily snapped. Mum, youre not going anywhere. Lets bring the things inside and sort them out.
She trudged back into the hallway, her hands shaking with humiliation. Their neighbour, Linda from the third floor, passed by and glanced over.
What happened, Emily?
Everythings fine, Linda, Emily forced a smile.
She hauled the pile back into the flat. Eleanor watched TV in the livingroom as if nothing had happened.
Wheres James? Emily asked.
He went to the shop. Ran out of flour.
Emily led her mother to the bedroomactually the room Eleanor had taken.
Mum, lie down and rest. Ill get you a tea.
Emily, where will I sleep? This is Eleanors stuff everywhere.
My mother will move to the livingroom. This will be my mothers room now.
Emily stepped into the kitchen. Eleanor was there, his face sour.
How long will you stay, mother?
As long as needed.
And where do you want to sleep?
On the sofa?
You could go back to your own flat. Your legs healed, you walk fine.
Eleanors expression hardened.
So youre kicking me out?
Im not kicking you out, Im just reminding you that you said youd stay temporarily. Its been six months.
Thats how it is? You can shelter your own mother, but not mine!
Eleanor, you have your own twobedroom flat in the city centre. My mother just had surgery and needs care.
I need care too! My blood pressure spikes, my heart rattles!
Then hire a carer.
On what money? My pension is meagre!
On the same money my mother would use if you forced her out.
The tension crackled until James burst in with grocery bags.
Hey! Got the flour, he said cheerfully, then froze at the sight of the two women. Whats going on?
Your mother put my things in the hallway, Emily said flatly.
James looked at his mother.
Mum, is that true?
Eleanor put on an innocent face. I just wanted to free up space for my mothers belongings. I thought I was helping.
Emily smirked. Now the whole building is gossiping about how my motherinlaw is being tossed out.
James tried to smile. Emily, she didnt mean any harm.
Didnt mean any harm? Emily snapped. She dumped my clothes, cosmetics, booksright in the hallway! Neighbours saw, kids laughed. Thats not didnt mean, thats humiliation!
James muttered, Youre overreacting.
Emilys pulse raced. James, are you serious? She did that and you say Im overreacting?
James shrugged. Mum wanted what was best.
Emily stared at him. So youre okay with my mother being shunted out while yours stays?
James hesitated. Im not taking sides. Im trying to find a compromise.
Eleanor interjected, James, tell her Im the head of this house. Im the mother, youre the son, and the wife she comes and goes.
James winced. Mum, enough.
Emily replied coldly, I bought this flat with my own savings, before we were married. Its mine.
Eleanor hissed, So youll tell my son the flat isnt his?
Emily said, Im just stating a fact.
James finally spoke, Emily, lets talk tonight when were calmer. Right now everyones emotional.
Emily nodded, My mother stays. Either your mother moves to the livingroom or goes back to her own flat.
James frowned, Thats not an ultimatum, its a condition for us to live in my own home.
Emily went to the bedroom, found her mother lying with closed eyes.
Mum, how are you?
Fine, just a headache.
Heres a tablet. Rest now.
Mum, maybe I should really go to Sarah?
No, youre not the problem. The problem is Eleanor, who decided shes the queen of this place. But this is my flat, and I decide who lives here.
That night Emily and James lay on the sofa. Eleanor slammed the bedroom door behind her.
Emily, think about it, James tried to hug her, but she pulled away.
What are we thinking about?
Maybe they can both stay? Mum in the lounge, Eleanor in the bedroom.
And where do we sleep?
Temporarily, in the kitchen?
James sat up sharply. Your mothers been here six months. Thats not temporary!
Emily snapped, Then she leaves, or I do.
James stood, fists clenched. Where are you going?
To Mums flat. Its cramped too, but at least theres no Eleanor.
No, Emily, were married! Im supposed to stand by you.
Shes protecting her mother, not me.
Its not about protecting anyone, James said quietly. Its about being fair.
Emily softened, I just need you on my side. To tell my motherinlaw this cant happen again.
James stared at the floor. After a long pause he said, Alright. Ill talk to her tomorrow.
Emily felt a small relief. Maybe not everything was lost.
The next morning she woke to shouting from the kitchen. James and Eleanor were arguing.
Mum, you cant stay here forever, James said.
James, are you evicting me?
No, just saying its cramped and you have your own place.
Mum, its lonely, scary!
You lived here for fifteen years after your husband died.
But Im getting older, I need support!
James promised, Ill visit every week, help out.
Eleanor broke down, You love me less now, you chose your wife over me!
Emily entered, Good morning.
Eleanor glared, Youre the homewrecker!
Emily replied, I never took anyone away. James is my husband, not your property.
Eleanor screamed, Youre heartless! Youre kicking an old woman out!
Your flat is twobedroom, in the city centre. You have a roof over your head.
Eleanor retorted, Its cold, the radiators barely work!
Call a plumber or buy a heater.
On what money? My pension is tiny!
James will help financially, right?
James nodded, Of course, Mum.
Eleanor sobbed and fled to the bedroom. Emily looked at James, Thank you.
He smiled wearily, Youre right. This cant continue.
The next three days Eleanor threw tantrums, accused Emily of every possible sin, and James helped move her belongings. Eventually she packed and left. The flat became spacious and quiet again. Emilys mother stayed in the bedroom, and Emily and James reclaimed their own space.
How good it feels, Emily sighed, lying in her own bed.
Your mums upset, James said, staring at the ceiling. She says she wont talk to me anymore.
Dont worry, shell calm down.
What if she doesnt?
James answered, You made the right choice. Were a team, we stay together.
I know, but I feel sorry for her. Shes truly alone.
Then visit her more often, help her out, but we live separately.
James nodded. A week passed without a call from Eleanor. James tried to call her; she didnt answer, and he grew worried.
Emily, should we visit her?
Ill stay here with Mum.
James returned two hours later, looking pale.
Shes lost weight, looks exhausted. Says she hardly eats or sleeps.
Maybe shes manipulating us?
I dont know, but she looks genuinely ill.
Emily thought, We cant bring her back here.
Could we hire a caretaker for her? James suggested.
That would cost money.
Yes, but cheaper than losing our peace and marriage.
They found a middleaged woman willing to visit Eleanor three times a week for a reasonable fee. Eleanor accepted, still cold to Emily but cordial with James. She began to receive meals, help with chores, and occasional companionship.
Emilys mother recovered and, after a month, moved back to her own flat. The apartment felt roomy again.
How wonderful, Emily said, hugging James. We finally have our own space.
James pressed her close, Sorry I didnt protect you sooner.
Its okay. What matters is we ended up right.
I love my mum, but I love you more. My mother was always my priority, but now I see my wife is the present and the future.
Emily smiled. The conflict had been messy, and its echoes would linger, but Eleanor still visited family gatherings, though coldly, never forgiving the hallway incident. Emily hadnt regretted standing her ground, defending her boundaries, her home, her marriage. Sometimes you must say no, even if it hurts, even if youre called heartless, because everyone deserves a place they can truly call home.
Six months later Eleanor called unexpectedly.
Emily, its me.
Hello, Eleanor.
I wanted to apologise for the hallway thing, for everything.
Emily was stunned.
I was wrong. I acted badly. You had every right to be angry.
Thank you.
I was scared of losing my son. I thought if I left, hed forget me.
Eleanor, James loves you. Hell never forget you. We all just need to live our own lives.
I understand now. Forgive me?
I forgave you long ago.
A pause.
Would you like to come over for tea? Ive baked a cake.
Well be there.
Emily hung up and smiled. The ice had finally begun to melt. They might never be best friends, but they no longer fought. That was enough.
That evening she told James everything. He embraced her.
Thank you for never giving up, for defending our home. I couldnt have done it alone.
You just needed time to see it.
Seeing that a wife matters more than a mother?
Not more, just different. Mother is the past, wife is the present and future.
James kissed her forehead.
Youre wise, my love.
Emily rested against him, the earlier humiliation of the hallway now a distant, absurd memory. It had taught her to protect her boundaries, to face conflict, to go to the end even when scared. Most of all, it taught her that true love doesnt shrink from trials. Her marriage survived, grew stronger, and they learned to listen, protect, and work as a team.
Eleanor found new friends, attended concerts, and even her caretaker became a close companion. She realized life could be happy even apart from her sons house.
Whenever Emily walked past that hall, she recalled the pile of belongings and the shame, but now she looked at it calmly. The incident had made her stronger and taught her to value her home.
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