Emily, love, could you send me at least ten pounds? Ive got a backlog on the electricity bill and theyre threatening to shut it off. How am I supposed to live without light? my mothers voice crackled over the line, frantic and thin.
Emily stared at a spot on the kitchen wall, her expression unreadable, the phone clenched tighter in her hand. She said nothing, then simply:
No, she replied, and hung up.
She lifted her gaze. Across the table sat Irene Peterson, my motherinlaw, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Irene had heard the whole conversation and now her eyes asked the unspoken question.
Nothing special, really. Were not exactly the type to help each other out, Emily brushed off, waving her hand.
Irene furrowed her brows, set her fork down and dabbed her lips with a napkin.
Is that how you treat your own parents? she asked, genuine bewilderment in her tone. After all, shes your mother
Emily pushed her halfeaten toast aside and met Irenes stare.
You can, if they treat you worse than a stranger on the street, she said firmly.
Irene fell silent, evidently not expecting such an answer. The only sound was the ticking of the wall clock. Emily lowered her eyes.
Sorry. I didnt mean to be harsh.
Irene shook her head. No, no. Im just surprised. Youve never spoken about your relationship with your mum before.
Emily reached for her cup of cooling tea, took a sip, and set it down. Its a long story, she said.
If you have the time, weve got plenty, Irene replied softly. Whenever youre ready to share.
Emily gathered her thoughts for a few seconds. It all began a long time ago, she finally said. Id just finished school and was dreaming of getting into university.
She remembered that day vividly: a sweltering summer morning, her hunched over a battered laptop in the cramped bedroom of the twobed flat she shared with her mum, refreshing the universitys admissions page over and over.
A flash of joy lit her face as she recalled the moment her surname appeared on the list. Id been accepted on a place funded by the state! I screamed with delight, ran round the flat, and called every friend I could think of.
It was wonderful, she sighed, a hint of melancholy creeping in.
I thought everything was set. Then, a week later, I learned I was seriously ill.
Her face clouded with the memory. She didnt go into the specifics of the illness; she didnt want to reopen old wounds.
The doctor said I needed urgent surgery, and it would cost a lot of money, Emily said, turning the teaspoon over in her hand. Mum lived in a onebedroom flat shed inherited from a distant aunt. She never lived there herself; she rented it out. In that moment I thought selling it could pay for the operation.
Irene leaned forward, supporting her chin with her hand. I begged Mum to sell the flat, Emily continued, her voice wavering. I remember sitting at the kitchen table, crying
A wave of recollection swept over her.
Mum, please! I pleaded, my eyes red and swollen. If you dont, Ill lose my university place and have to postpone my studies for at least a year!
Her mother was at the stove, stirring soup, and didnt even look up. She snapped, No. That flat is my inheritance, my money. Im not spending it on you.
But its about my health! I shouted. About my future!
Her mother turned sharply, eyes narrowed. Did you ever think about my future? she retorted, thrusting a wooden spoon toward Emily. I still have to work until Im retired. Im not going to sell the flat for free treatment!
But the treatment could take years! I protested, jumping out of my chair.
Her mother simply shrugged. Then wait. Nothing will happen to you.
Emily fell silent, a lump forming in her throat. Irene asked gently, What happened after that?
Emily managed a bitter smile. I spent the next two years waiting for free treatment, losing my statefunded place. After the operation I took ages to recover.
Irene whispered, Poor thing.
Emily went on, I had to get a contract job, rent a flat, work days and study parttime. Eventually I moved out of my mums house.
She recalled the day she left. Her mother lingered in the doorway, disapproving. Leaving? To where? she asked.
To a friends place, Emily replied, packing without looking back. Ill stay there for a bit, then find my own flat.
Her mother raised her voice. Ungrateful! I raised you, fed you, and this is how you repay me?
Emily zipped her bag and turned to face her mother. And when I needed you, where were you?
My only concern was that you were trying to squeeze money out of me! You wanted to swindle me!
Emily walked past her mother. Goodbye, Mum. Her mother shouted after her, Dont you dare come back! and slammed the front door.
Weve barely spoken since, Emily said, bringing the tale back to the present. I finished university, met your son, and were doing okay now. We still rent, but were saving to buy our own house. Our salaries are decent.
Irene nodded. Youre both doing well. Im proud of you. Emily added, I heard from relatives that after I left, Mum sold that onebedroom flat. She spent the money on a couple of short vacations abroad and buying expensive things.
Emily shook her head. Now she lives back in that twobed flat she cant afford. She was made redundant and has about five years left before retirement. Shes been calling me for money.
Emily looked at Irene. If you were in my shoes, would you give her money?
Irene gasped, covering her mouth. I never thought your mother could be like that. No wonder she missed the wedding.
She stepped closer, wrapped an arm around Emilys shoulders. Dont worry, love. Everythings in Gods hands. Let her be a thing of the past.
Emily managed a small smile, tears welling. Thank you, Irene, for caring.
Irene smoothed Emilys hair. Dont be so formal with me. Just call me Mum, alright?
Emily nodded, too choked up to speak.
That evening, after work, I came home to find Emily crying, her head rested on my mothers shoulder. I tossed my keys onto the side table and asked, Whats wrong?
My mum, trying to sound cheerful, replied, Alls well, love. We just had a good hearttoheart.
Emily clung tighter to my mum, feeling a warmth she hadnt known since childhood.
Im so glad you two get along, I said, sitting beside us on the sofa and hugging both women.
Emily closed her eyes, soaking up the rare moment of family unity. For the first time in years, she felt the genuine motherly love shed been missing.
Later that night, when we were alone in the bedroom, she whispered, Your mum shes amazing.
I pulled her closer. I know. Thats why I turned out the way I am.
She poked me playfully. Dont brag!
What? I chose an equally wonderful wife, I replied, feigning hurt.
She nestled into me, inhaling the familiar scent of home. Thank you, she murmured. For your family. For letting it become mine too.
I kissed the top of her head. You deserve the best.
Lying there in the dark, Emily thought about how twists of fate and a painful relationship with her own mother had led her to this new family, where she finally had the unconditional love shed always wanted.
The phone on the nightstand buzzed with a new message. Her mother was once again demanding money. Emily glanced at the screen, then turned it off and held me tighter.
The past no longer held power over her. She shifted, closed her eyes, and whispered that tomorrow would be another day with the family that truly loved her.
