Since Michael and Sarah returned for a HomeTown childbirth, please leave, my mother-in-law stated in a chilly voice. Her eldest son and his wife were due in three days. Me? Leave? I asked, confused and stunned. Yes, we don’t need another mother figure anymore. You’ve been redundant for a while now. Michael and his family will be living here, so make sure you’re out by tomorrow, she continued. I knew I was never truly accepted into the family since the day I got married, always treated as an outsider. Never did I imagine they would tell me to leave. You barren failure, my mother-in-law spat. You were allowed to experience raising a child; be grateful. We have no obligation to support you anymore. It seems like Simon is tired of you too. What’s Simon to me? I gulped down my saliva, the shock nearly paralyzing me. If it wasn’t a conspiracy between my mother-in-law and Michael, then I didn’t need to stand in ceremony with my husband anymore.
It was foolish to drive me out, but it was my mother-in-law who ignited this. What happens to this house now is none of my concern. May they face the reality they have ignored squarely. Personally, I’m Anna Thompson, forty-five years old, living with my husband and mother-in-law in a popular area close to the station. The access to the city center is superb. When house hunting, my picky husband, recently promoted to a managerial position, insisted on a spacious apartment. The rent was steep, $5,600, but the space and rooms made it worth the stretch. My husband, Simon, eight years my senior, a divorcé I met through a friend’s introduction, comforted by the enveloping kindness unique to an older man. We decided to get married after two years of dating. Even when I told him about my infertility due to a past illness, his affection did not waver. Likewise, my feelings remained unchanged when I learned of the circumstances he carried. My husband had a son named Michael from his previous marriage. I’m truly sorry to ask you, who have never been married, to live with my parents and son. I won’t make you suffer, I’ll ensure you’re happy. That was the promise he made to me. To prevent me from feeling suffocated, my husband suggested moving to this spacious apartment where I could have my own room. Michael, turning ten this year, wouldn’t need much care with my mom around. You don’t have to push yourself. After his divorce, my husband got help with childcare from his parents at their home. A few years later, Simon’s father passed away in an accident, and it seems his mother took over as Michael’s caretaker. From the first meeting, Michael wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. I thought it might be his shy nature, approaching a difficult age, so I didn’t worry. As long as they accepted me as a member of the household, I was content. My mother-in-law was a quiet and refined person. When I visited to formally introduced myself after our engagement, she treated me with such politeness that I thought we would get along fine.
I switched from a full-time employee at the pharmacy to a part-timer after getting married, a change due to the division of household chores. I started work a bit later in the morning so I wouldn’t get home until nearly eight P.M. Dinner was always ready when I arrived, making me feel good about living together. My mother-in-law and Michael usually had dinner before I got home, so I was always eating alone. Even after getting married, I sometimes felt a sense of is this it? but I came to accept that this was our family style. From the beginning, my mother-in-law never really liked me and didn’t consider me part of the family at all. Michael, the school’s activity day is before summer, right? When is it? We’re all going to see you sometime after getting married. I tried to break the ice with Michael, who still hadn’t warmed up to me. No, I mean… as Michael faltered, my mother-in-law interjected: We’ll go there just Simon and me, Anna. You don’t need to worry about it. I misunderstood her words, thinking she was just being considerate. I can get the day off work, let’s all go together. You don’t need that. You’re Simon’s wife, and Michael’s family has always been just Simon and me. I was lightly, no, quite shocked. When I brought it up with my husband at night, he said, Mom’s been clinging to Michael. She probably thinks you’re trying to take him away. I’ll talk to her eventually. I began to join as a mother at the activity day, but Michael and I rarely spent any time together outside of school events. Sometimes I could tell Michael wanted to say something, but my mother-in-law always cut in between us. I later found out that she had been badmouthing me to Michael. Anna said she could be happy with Simon if Michael weren’t around. She’s a terrible person. Dad must be deceived by her too. If a boy in his formative years hears such things, it wouldn’t be strange for him to distrust me. It was a sickening story, but at that time, I hadn’t imagined that my mother-in-law could do such a thing. After graduating high school, Michael immediately moved in with his girlfriend and left home as soon as he started college. A year after he started working, he married her without a ceremony. Once Michael moved out, my mother-in-law surprisingly stopped doing housework altogether. Instead, it seemed that picking on me had become her sole entertainment. She stopped cooking, which she used to do before, and now just sits at the dining table waiting for me to come home. Without a moment to sit down, I would stand in the kitchen and prepare dinner. You’re really inefficient, at this rate it’ll take you all night. I was never good at cooking, partly because I had always relied on my mother-in-law to prepare the meals. Whenever I did manage to cook, she would taste each dish and invariably complain, This tastes awful. I’m sorry, I’m trying my best. You’re astonishingly tone-deaf when it comes to flavors, Anna. It’s a good thing Michael never had to eat this. How terrible. If she thought so, she might as well make it herself, but it seemed she just wanted to complain to me. Not just about the meals, but she started nitpicking everything, from the cleaning I never used to do, to the laundry. Why are there so many wrinkles on the laundry? You have to vacuum every nook and cranny! You really can’t do anything right, didn’t your family teach you anything? With that, my mother-in-law sighed while looking at me. Being belittled even about my family, I clenched my fists in frustration. I don’t know how you won over Simon, but I can’t see much charm in you as a woman, and she always concluded with the same line: If you hadn’t come, Michael would have never left. I understood that there was a gaping hole in her heart since Michael had left, maybe it was what they call empty nest syndrome. If taking it out on me made her feel better, that’s what I told myself to endure it. But her bullying took on new energy after a certain event.
That event was the pregnancy announcement for Michael’s wife, Sarah. The joy my mother-in-law exhibited was unlike anything I had seen before. It’s Michael’s baby, it’s bound to be adorable! Yeah, he’ll be my first grandchild. Watching the two of them rejoice, I was happy too, but my mother-in-law’s excitement was beyond normal. Probably because Michael asked her, Grandma, can Sarah have our baby at your place? Sarah’s family home is an hour away by plane, and since they have no one else to rely on here, they turned to us for help. Of course, my mother-in-law wouldn’t dream of turning down Michael’s request. The phone calls from Michael started to become frequent, and her excitement went through the roof. The next day after getting the news, she started preparing enthusiastically, from cleaning out Michael’s room to preparing the bedding and making a list of baby items. It was like she had great-grandchild fever. Naturally, I had to get involved too. When I returned from work, Anna, I vacuumed Michael’s room, so you need to wipe the floors and the windows, and please wax them too. This weekend we’re going to the department store to look at baby cribs. Cleaning and waxing at night was tough, especially after a long day at work. If I even thought about cutting corners, I’d be told to do it over again. Moreover, my mother-in-law started asking for money, and before I knew it, the house was overflowing with baby stuff. Anna, I need you to withdraw some money tomorrow. There are things I want to get ready for the baby. Again? Isn’t it wasteful to prepare so much when Sarah and Michael haven’t even arrived? Shouldn’t we wait and choose together with them? I had wanted to meet my mother-in-law’s requests, but I was troubled by the relentless spending. How can you be so cold? It’s Simon’s grandchild. Oh, that’s right, you’re not related to Michael by blood. You don’t care, do you? That’s not true! Please don’t say that. I just thought Sarah might want to pick things out herself. When do you want to choose things for your own child? Perhaps because I was making a valid point, my mother-in-law glared at me sharply. I immediately thought I had gone too far, but it was too late. Without a word, my mother-in-law went back to her room, looking upset. I did reflect on it, but I was also shocked to be spoken about in such a way regarding my infertility. The next morning, my mother-in-law didn’t come out of her room, perhaps still angry. Simon had a three-day business trip starting that day, so he just called out, I’m leaving, through her door. Please don’t throw cold water on Mom’s great-grandchild fever. She hasn’t been the same since Michael left. You were worried too, right? I was, but if we spend all our money like this, we’ll have nothing left when Michael and Sarah arrive. Right? Simon’s face immediately turned sour. Are you saying my earnings are too low? That’s not what I’m saying at all, Simon. Just said, Fine, and left with a look of dissatisfaction. Discussions about money always end up like this.
I am the one managing our finances, so I can’t help but think ahead. We’ve been married for thirteen years. Simon had always told me, Your part-time income is for you to enjoy, and he provided a very comfortable life. So I saved everything beyond what I needed for myself. Even though it’s in my name, I consider it our shared property. But then, Simon’s company’s performance declined, and over the last five years, his salary has dropped to two-thirds of what it was when we first got married. While there’s uncertainty whether his company will last until his retirement, he doesn’t seem to consider changing jobs for appearances in front of my mother-in-law. My husband couldn’t give up his title as a department head. Now, I’m the one paying the rent, and he covers the living expenses. We’ve kept this from my mother-in-law to save my husband’s face. That day, I left work a bit early to apologize to my mother-in-law. When I got home, she was already sitting at the dining table waiting for me. I’m sorry about yesterday, I may have gone too far, I admitted. But my mother-in-law remained silent. Instead, she blindsided me with unexpected news. Michael and Sarah are returning for a HomeTown childbirth, please vacate, my mother-in-law declared in a chilly tone. The eldest son and his wife were set to arrive in three days. Perplexed and stunned, I asked, I have to leave? She affirmed, Yes, we don’t need another mother figure anymore. You’ve been redundant for a while. Michael and his family will be living here, make sure you’re out by tomorrow. The realization hit me hard. I had never truly been accepted into the family since the day I got married. I had always been treated as an outsider. The news of Michael’s return for the birth made it clear. You barren failure, my mother-in-law continued. You were allowed to experience raising a child, be grateful. We have no obligation to support you anymore. It seems like Simon is tired of you too. Maybe he’s getting along well with a new girlfriend by now. Shocked, I gulped down my saliva, contemplating the possibility of my relationship with my husband growing distant. Could this be a trap? I fell into thinking my husband would never… I remembered that up until a year ago, he never had overnight business trips. All right, I’ll eat up tonight, I said, grabbing my bag and leaving the house to walk aimlessly. I needed to calm my severely shaken heart. Worried about my husband, I tried calling his cell phone. Despite my mother-in-law’s words, I still wanted to talk to him, but he didn’t answer no matter how many times I rang. I dialed his office only to learn that he had taken a couple of days off. My mother-in-law’s words began to ring more true. Could he really be on a trip with another woman? Dark thoughts crowded my mind, and I found myself overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down my face. Staggering along, I noticed the tavern behind the station, a place we used to frequent when we first moved here. It’s still here, I thought as I entered. Welcome! The tavern owner’s expression clouded briefly upon seeing me, then he nodded in recognition. Hey, long time no see. It’s been about eight years. I used to come here a lot with my husband, I said. Yes, it’s been a while, I remember you, he replied. I couldn’t bring myself to say much more than that. I decided to think about everything once I got home.
Walking away from the tavern, I was called from behind. A young waitress from the tavern was running towards me. Excuse me, are you Mrs. Thompson? I noticed the screen saver on your phone, she said, confirming my identity. She dropped a bombshell: my husband was having an affair with one of their employees. We exchanged contact information, and she promised to keep me informed. My mother-in-law’s words appeared to be true. Instead of sadness, a fierce anger welled up within me. It was time to confront this head-on. Booking an appointment with a moving company, I resolved to move out that day. If it wasn’t a conspiracy and my mother-in-law and Michael were truly involved, then I no longer needed to honor my husband. Returning home, I packed my belongings until midnight without hesitation. The moving company arrived on time, and I made it clear that I was leaving as requested. They took everything I had bought, erasing every trace of my presence. My mother-in-law panicked, but I was resolute. I’m taking everything I bought. You can start a completely new life tomorrow, I declared, suppressing a laugh. Ignoring her protests, I proceeded to have everything taken out. My mother-in-law complained loudly to the movers, but there was nothing she could do. The only items left in the house were piles of baby gear and her old dresser from before the marriage. Well then, I bid you farewell. There should be no trace of me left, so enjoy your life with Simon, Michael, and his family, I declared, leaving her sitting there, stunned, placing the keys on the table. I exited the room. The movers held onto my things for a while, and I decided to stay with a single colleague for some time. Feeling a sense of completion, I slept soundly that night. A week later, I finally heard from my husband. I wondered if he was scheming with that other woman. While my husband was dragging his feet, I received a call from the young woman at the tavern. Got a big shot, so I’ll send it to you in the photo. My husband was chatting up a not-so-young woman at the tavern, maybe out of a sense of justice. The young woman must have followed them after they closed. There was also a photo attached of the two entering a hotel. Even in such times, the cheating continues, I thought, and any last bit of affection I had for my husband dissipated. I asked for the woman’s name and had her address looked up. The next day, armed with all the evidence of the affair, my husband called. Anna, where are you? Michael and his family are here too, aren’t you going to come home soon? No, I’m not coming back. Your mom told me to leave. I’m done here. Michael and his family are going to live with you now, right? I knew it. Michael and his family were out of money and looking to crash at our place. I heard that after graduating from a vocational school, they’ve been hopping from job to job and now they’re working part-time. No, I want you back, Anna. I went to the pharmacy and they said you’re off for a bit. Good place to crash, yeah? I’m fine, so don’t worry about me. Your mom and Michael didn’t like me, right? I reckon they’re happy to have the place to themselves without me around. My snide comment left my husband speechless for a moment.
If he’d resigned himself, we’ve been getting by on what Anna and I both make for a little while now. Then the stuff you took should be both yours. Instead of my speechless husband, I decided to speak up. Simon’s company has been doing poorly and his salary plummeted. That’s why for the past five years, I’ve been covering what’s missing, but that wasn’t enough, and now I’m the one paying our rent. My mother-in-law looked at my husband with surprise. I’m not just a part-timer, I’m a part-time pharmacist, and my pay is quite good. I’m making more than Simon now. At my words, my husband awkwardly looked away. My mother-in-law’s eyes were frantically shifting between my husband and me. From now on, Michael, you’ll be paying the rent. You’re going to live here, right? After all the help your grandma’s given, it’s time for you to take care of her. Michael looked at me with a shocked expression when I dropped the news. Suddenly, rent? How much is it? he asked. It’s $5,600. Good luck. Since it seems my role as a mother is over, I don’t have an obligation to take care of you anymore. Pull yourself together, you’re going to be a father soon. Michael murmured with a shake of his head. That’s impossible! It was Sarah who raised her voice upon hearing this. Wait, $5,600? Weren’t we supposed to live here for free, covering rent and living expenses? I almost burst out laughing. Don’t worry, Sarah, you can move to a cheaper place. Simon still makes a decent salary. Hearing this, Sarah’s face relaxed a bit. Oh, since I’ll be leaving you, Simon, life might still get tough with your mistress, huh? At that, Sarah finally broke down in tears. It was my husband who panicked. What? What are you talking about? Sarah replied, Oh, your mother told me about the new woman! I guess it’s time to end my role as a wife too. My husband must think there’s no evidence. Indeed, it hasn’t even been ten days since I left the house. Wouldn’t that hurt Mary if she heard you? Well, I’ll get in touch about that later. At the mention of Mary’s name, my husband jolted, realizing that I knew everything. He held his head inside his hands. This is not the atmosphere to write a divorce paper. Well then, I’ll be going now. Please talk to me further through a lawyer. Neither my husband Simon nor Michael said anything more, staying silent as I grabbed my bag and stood up. My mother-in-law stood up simultaneously, slamming her hands on the table. She yelled with a voice too strong for an elderly woman, What the hell! It’s all your fault! Our home is in shambles! I was instantly irritated. It was you who told me to leave. It was you who said Simon had another woman, and you interfered with my relationship with Michael. Everything was you! I felt a surge of heat in my chest. I regretted not being more assertive with my relationship with Michael, not holding back because of my mother-in-law. Michael has nothing to do with this. It’s time for you to step up, Simon. He’s going through a hard time, you should support him as his wife. Take responsibility as a family member! What is she even talking about? If she hadn’t called Michael back home, if she hadn’t hinted at Simon’s affair, I would still happily support Simon and this home. I always believed in and supported Simon. Where are you, Michael? Why are you still up here? It’s all her fault! My mother-in-law’s lips tightened into a line, and she was trembling. I slipped past the silent mother-in-law and quickly left the room.
Afterward, Simon agreed to the divorce rather easily. It seems my determination was strong, and he couldn’t counter the evidence of the affair. Shortly after, it seemed like they started the process of moving out of the apartment. In the end, Michael and Sarah went back to their apartment and never lived with the mother-in-law. Simon seems to be considering remarriage, but Mary was furious over the alimony and his request for her to live with his mother. I’ve heard they’re considering whether to place my mother-in-law in a care facility. After all the love she poured into her son and grandson, it’s somewhat sad to think they’re ready to abandon her now. Perhaps she served her purpose too. If my mother-in-law had said nothing back then, and it had just been a simple trip home for childbirth, maybe we would still be living together. After the divorce, Michael sent me an apology letter. He wrote about how as a child he really wanted to be more spoiled, how he couldn’t talk to me because his grandmother disliked it, and how happy he was when I attended school events. Maybe I should have reached out more. Perhaps then we could have built a different relationship. Even though our relationship has ended, I quietly pray for Michael’s happiness in life. I’ve returned to work as a pharmacist and quickly rented an apartment close to my workplace. I don’t feel good about keeping the furniture and appliances I took with me, so I had them all picked up and disposed of by a junk removal service. Life without my mother-in-law’s harassment is peaceful and comfortable. For a while, I want to live for my own happiness, not someone else’s.
