You want to get married? Be patient. Your belly is already protruding youre an adult now! declared the mother indifferently.
Helen could see the hope in her daughters eyes. Emily had been mulling over how to tell her parents about the pregnancy, but the words never came. Thinbodied by nature, she could no longer hide the growing roundness of her belly. She had just turned seventeen.
It didnt take long to discover who the father was.
Emily had been in love with Daniel for years. She first saw him at the start of September in Year 7, one of the first faces she noticed. The boys stretched out over the summer, changed, even seemed to grow up a little, but they were still just teenagers.
Their schoolbags flew between the rows of desks, they arrived late and skipped lessons together. Whispered jokes, giggles, the ordinary rhythm of school life.
Daniel was taller than most, faster, better at everything. Thats when Emily fell for him an unrequited crush. She kept quiet; there was no point shouting about it, and he didnt notice her. Eventually, he did. They started hanging out.
Emily could not conceal her condition any longer. The parents of the young couple arranged a wedding almost at once. Emily was overjoyed.
Family life began in the motherinlaws house. Daniel was the eldest of the children. His two sisters were still at school, in Year 5 and Year 7, so he had to start earning a living.
Youve grown up enough to make a child! Show us youre an adult. We have two daughters already, and we have no intention of supporting your wife and your baby! the patriarch declared.
For Emily, adulthood began too. She had to give up her studies; even a cleaning job was refused. She spent her days scrubbing the big house because she had no other work.
All the domestic chores fell on her. Daniels sisters laughed; now they didnt have to wash dishes, mop floors, or tidy the house.
They even tried to make her life harder: more dirty plates, crumbs on the floor, random stains on cupboards and walls. Emily understood what was happening; it was painful, but she had no one to complain to.
Daniel worked, indifferent to what unfolded at home. He hadnt even settled into a routine, and he wasnt particularly fond of Emily.
Hed married under his parents pressure. Emily tried to speak with her own mother, but nothing improved.
You want to marry, so wait! The bellys above the nose that means youre an adult! repeated the mother, her voice flat.
Emily was no longer happy with her marriage. She might have run away if the baby werent on the way, but now she was stuck. She gave birth easily, yet life did not become any better.
There was no help with the child, and the household chores never stopped. Daniel came home later and later, sometimes not at all.
Emily knew he was seeing other women; she could even guess who. The family life grew more intolerable. She lived in her motherinlaws house like a servant, crying at night and worrying about the future.
Daniels sister, Aunt Iris Whitmore, arrived to visit. To Emily, Iris seemed a woman of an iron will, silently observing every corner of the house, speaking sparingly.
Emily tried to do everything well and on time. She succeeded, but the motherinlaw always found something to complain about and reported it to her sister. Meanwhile Daniel felt free to go out on dates. Their mother argued, but could do nothing.
I was married without my consent! Live now with my wife, Daniel retorted, walking out.
Iris watched everything. Two slow weeks passed, and then she began packing to return home.
Why did you come? Youve been away five years, muttered the motherinlaw as Iris gathered her things. What are you sniffing at?
In the morning everyone headed to work. Emily offered to see Iris to the bus stop.
Ill walk you, and we can take little Mary along for a stroll.
Ive been watching your family. You look exhausted, your eyes have dark circles, youre holding on with your last ounce of strength. How do you endure this, girl? And do you know about Dan?
I know.
Want to go somewhere? Pack your things, well leave together, youll have a break from them.
But where? Theyll never let me back, and I have nowhere to go.
Well sort that out. Pack, and Ill push a pram by the house.
I have no ticket, no money.
Dont worry about that. I have none either. A car will arrive in two hours. Hurry and dont forget anything. You probably wont have to return. Ill tell you everything when we get there. Its only a threehour drive.
The car stopped at the gate of a modest house, much smaller than the motherinlaws but far tidier. The driver slipped the vehicle into the driveway and got out.
This is the neighbour. I cant drive alone, so I sometimes ask him. If youd like to get a licence, Ill help you. Come in, make yourself at home. Ill rest a bit. Your room is on the right.
Half an hour later Iris began her story.
My sister and I never spoke much. I had a daughter who left for university and later died. She loved extreme sports, diving down mountain rivers. Her first trek ended in tragedy. After that my husband left, unable to cope. I was left alone. I travelled to my sister asking for help and to sort out an inheritance.
She told me there was no room. Daniel married, youre his child, his daughters. All that hangs on you. They dont understand that.
My sister was used to having everything done for her. Everything was dumped on you. Dan doesnt love you. Why does he even exist for you? Ive learned all this. No one will help you, not even your parents.
I wanted to leave my house to Daniel, thinking hed have a family, a child, but he I decided everything. Bear with me a little; it will all be yours. I think its time to file for divorce.
I have about a year left. Well manage. Call me Aunt Iris. Get used to the house being entirely yours.
And what will they say
Dont think about it. They have enough of their own problems. Keep it to yourself! Be strong; you have a daughter.
Iris lived just over a year after that. Emily divorced Daniel, and he remarried quickly. Former relatives came to Iriss funeral, openly displeased with her sisters decision. Daniel even tried to rekindle the relationship, but the road back was closed.
Emily now lives with her daughter in her own home. She finally obtained her driving licence, studies parttime at university, and, most importantly, is learning to live independently. And she loves it.
Thats how life often turns out. A legacy isnt left to the selfish, but to those with a good heart. And thats a fair truth.
True strength comes from standing up for yourself and forging your own path.
