Family Beet Soup
Oh, youve really outdone yourself, love, serving the guests beet soup, sniffed Arthur disdainfully as he hovered over the kitchen doorway. The air was thick with the scent of fried tomatoes and last years cabbage. Theyre out at the newest fastfood joints and restaurants in London You could have cooked something a bit more exciting than beet soup. Ugh!
Ill have the meatballs, the salad with mayo, and the pancakes ready, retorted Margaret, her voice sharp. And the cold cuts, too Honestly, get off my back, you old fool, I can manage without you. Get out of here before I smack you with the ladle. Waitno, stay. Turn off the pot in five minutes; Im heading off, she snapped, ripping off her apron.
Where are you off to?
Arthur, bewildered, tugged at his trousers and squinted toward the stove. To the meeting! They said theyd be here in ten minutes. Ill pick up some extra breadsomeone always comes home still hungry.
She adjusted her hair in the mirror, trying to tame the short curls that suited a woman her age but which Margaret despised. Gone were the days when she was a blossoming beauty, held together by vanity. Now she felt like a wilted flower that no one could revive.
Are they really kids? Theyll help themselves, Arthur said, puzzled.
Oh, Pip, stop looking at me like that. Ill sort it out without you. Dont forget the pot and put something decent on, for Gods sake, stop wandering around in just your underpants.
Why so angry today? Arthur began to protest.
I dont know! Margaret snapped. Youll never understand, dear.
She waddled toward the lift, hips swaying with each step. How could she stay nice when her son showed up every year or two with a new girlfriendalways something vulgar, pretentious, never knowing which horse to ride. Some were vegetarians, some on diets, some liked salty food, others greasy, some didnt even have a proper dinner knife. Theyd survived without ever seeing a decent one.
These ladies would sit, turn up their noses, never liking Margarets cooking. This time shed had enough and decided to make only the basicsenough to keep them from going hungry.
The street greeted Margaret with a fresh May breeze. She inhaled the clean air and barely had time to collect herself before spotting Jamess silvertoned car pulling up.
James, thirtyseven, without rank or title, earning his keep through online gigs, fiddling with software, always in a hurry. He dreamed of a proper family and a child of his own. Margaret longed for a grandchild. All her friends already had nannies; she felt left behind. And Jamess girlfriends all seemed unwilling to settle down.
Mum, why did you come out? We couldve brought it up ourselves, James said, hugging his mother. This is Evelyn.
Hello! the girl replied cheerfully.
Oh! Margaret blurted, Hhello
Finally, someone who looks like an ordinary person, no tricks, she thought, smiling sweetly at her sons new partner. Lets hope this one works out; she looks decent enough, a bit like a country girl, but thatll do.
Shall we eat?
Hold on, Mum, theres a bag of drinks and a gift box for you in the boot, from Evelyn.
Really? Margaret reached out, intrigued, while Evelyn beamed.
Evelyn works in environmental protection, fighting for a cleaner planet, so the present is right on themetake a look when you get home.
Margarets eyes narrowed; she decided, I jumped to conclusions again, shes just another fancy.
Mum, could you grab the bag? Ill take the box Evelyn cant carry heavy things, James said, struggling with the bulky parcel.
She snatched the bag like a robot, barely looking at the lingering affection between son and daughterinlaw. In her mind she was already putting the new relationship to rest.
After the usual rush of greetings, they gathered around the table. Evelyn didnt bat an eye at the beet soup, scooped a spoonful, and began eating. She spoke shyly about her job, barely audible.
Is it an official position? Margaret asked.
Yes, Im on the payroll.
See, James, youve been without a proper contract for ten years. What if you fall ill? What about a pension? Time speeds up, and youre already thirtyseven.
Margarets question made James visibly uneasy.
Mum, I wont live long enough to worry about a pension, dont fret.
Thats what you think, but when the time comes youll be sitting on your rear end, Margaret replied confidently.
Oh, stop it, youre ruining my digestion. Dad, pass the pancake and cheese.
James tried to raise a toast, but his father kept cutting him off with his own declarations.
This beet soup is marvelous, Margaret, I was too shy to ask for seconds, Evelyn said, Let me clear the table for you.
The women started clearing dishes. Spotting the mess and the notsoclean stove, Evelyn clapped her hands.
Theres your gift! I almost forgot!
She opened the box and laid out a set of ecofriendly cleaning products, explaining, These are biodegradable, made from vegetables and fruit, safe for the environment. Want to try them now? she asked, looking radiant.
No, dear, I havent cleaned the stove for three days; itd be embarrassing, Margaret protested.
Come on, I grew up in the countryside; Ive seen every kind of stovetop, Evelyn laughed. Just spray it yourself, Ill finish with a sponge.
Evelyn tackled the dishes with ease. Margaret rolled bread crumbs across the table, peppering Evelyn with questions about her schooling, her parents, how she met James. The answers were respectable and satisfied Margaret.
When Evelyn turned to the stove, she effortlessly wiped away the grime.
Thank you for the lovely gifts, Evelyn, Margaret admitted, still wary of a hidden catch.
Just then, James clinked his glass and called everyone back to the sofa. He wrapped his arm around Evelyn, placed a gentle hand on her belly, and announced,
So, Mum, Dad Evelyn and I have decided to marry.
Oh! Margaret gasped.
And theres more James paused, then grinned, were expecting a baby, so expect a grandchild this winter.
Thats a miracle! Margaret threw her arms wide, The Blessed Mother has heard my prayers, the heavens have shown mercy!
She rushed to embrace Evelyn, Come here, my sunshine, my angel, she cooed, gently pulling James back who fidgeted.
Margaret, could you share your recipes? I cant cook beet soup like you do.
Evelyn! Margaret squealed, losing herself in joy, Its my dream to pass on my knowledge, to give my grandson the love of good food.
And so the modest dream that had seemed out of reach finally blossomed into reality, reminding us that patience, a dash of stubbornness, and a willingness to welcome change can turn even the most ordinary soup into a feast of new beginnings. The true lesson: love, like a wellstirred pot, grows richer when you keep adding kindness and never give up on the flavor of hope.
