Alright, everyone, have you had enough to eat? Had a tipple? Did I treat you well? I asked, rising to the head of the long dining table.
Indeed, sister, Brian said, a satisfied grin on his face. Youre as brilliant as ever.
Spot on! added Grace, echoing his praise. We both learned to cook from Mum, yet I never manage it as nicely as you do. No wonder I always ask you to handle the kitchen for my parties.
Mum, Im still not getting out of the gym, Emma complained, rolling her eyes. But I couldnt just sit still!
Ill send my wife over so you can teach her a thing or two, Andrew chimed in.
Thats why I married you! Vincent boomed, a hearty belch escaping him. Excuse us!
So Ive done you a favour, then? Molly beamed, her smile wide. She paused, the smile fading, and said, Now, you lot, scram from my house!
This is the last supper Ive ever made for you! The last time Ill bend over backwards! Im done with you I dont want to see or hear from you again, let alone think of you! She snatched a massive salad bowl from the table and hurled it onto the floor with a loud crash.
Enough, you little rascals! The dancings over, she announced with a cold grin. I wont let anyone ride me any longer, especially not you lot!
A heavy silence fell over the room, the guests frozen in shock. Nobody expected such a blow from Molly the evercalm, helpful, obedient one.
Are you out of your mind? Vincent asked, only to receive a sharp slap from his wife.
Call an ambulance, shes having a mental break! Grace shouted.
Molly lifted the decanter, its remnants of juice catching the light. Whoever reaches for the phone will get a taste of this! she said sweetly. Why are you all standing there like statues? Get moving, you insatiable gremlins!
Molly! Brian barked. Im telling you, as an older brother, calm down and pull yourself together.
No! Molly replied, smiling wildly. Im fed up serving you all! I wont do it any more! I wont cater to anyone who cant help themselves! Thats it enough!
Whats gotten into you? Vincent asked, rubbing his reddening cheek. Everything was fine.
I didnt gather you here for nothing, Molly said, sinking into her chair and leaning back. Your cheekiness has crossed every lineactually, its been crossing for ages. Your latest stunt just proved how bold youve become. So Im done with you all.
Exactly, son! Andrew agreed, laughing.
They say you ought to live life the right way, and no one can argue with that. But whats right? Everyone has their own opinion.
Molly had lived fortyfive years convinced shed done exactly that. At worst, she could only blame herself. She was the third child, with an older brother and a younger sister. Her parents were proud, she adored her brother, and got along well with her sister. She finished school, got a job, never dreamed of fame but never shirked her duties either.
She married, had two children, was a loyal, loving wife who supported her husband in everything, never raised her voice without cause. She was a good mother, raised her kids well, and sent them off into the world. Even as an adult she kept in touch with her brother and sister, helping when needed, celebrating together, sharing joys and sorrows. People called her kind, caring, smart, and understanding. Thats why she believed shed lived correctlyuntil, at fortyfive, she felt abandoned in the bleakest moment of her life.
Mrs. Miller, all your tests are back, no contraindications. Shall we schedule the operation? the doctor said after lunch.
Of course, doctor, Molly replied sadly. The decisions already made.
I understand, the doctor noted, seeing her dejection. But we should be cautious
Go ahead, book it, Molly waved a hand. The sooner we start, the sooner it ends.
Very well, the doctor wrote in her notes. Youll have dinner tonight, nothing tomorrow, and the operation the day after.
He turned to the next patient. Mrs. Clarke, your results arent great; well discuss them shortly.
Alright, Mr. Hart, the woman responded.
When the doctor left, he asked Molly, Why so down? Afraid of the surgery?
Its also that, Molly admitted, glancing at her phone. My husband
Me, too, left me with a song in my head, Lucy joked. I reckon the kids will run back to Mum, and Ill throw a party anyway. No big deal, hell sort it out later. Maybe hes already fled?
According to his last voice message, hes already a fullblown adult, Molly pursed her lips. He knows I have an operation, but he pretends nothings wrong. Hes out with friends, glass in hand!
Ah, thats typical, Lucy laughed. Cats in the house, mice dancing about!
Its still a pain, Molly replied. A hysterectomy is serious. A little support wouldve meant a lot. I told him I was terrified and needed him now. He sent two short messages after I left and then went silent!
Lucy, ten years Mollys junior, lacked the experience to console her, so the conversation dwindled on its own. Molly skipped dinner, taking nothing with her, knowing shed have to fast before the operation. She lay quietly, staring at the ceiling, remembering the time Vasili broke his leg in two places at work. Shed visited him daily in the hospital, bringing homemade food and clean clothes, staying until midnight before heading home. When he was released, she took leave to help him, working like a hamster on a wheel, never refusing a request. She fetched water, fed him from a spoon, washed, shaved, and brushed him.
Why does he treat me like this? Molly asked when Lucy returned from her own dinner.
Not just yours, Lucy smiled. Everyones like that, always taking advantage. Theyre taught to sit on a ladys lap, they say.
I pushed my husband into a job for three years, arranged a fatter pay, and he still wont bite, Lucy continued. He only agreed to work after I threatened to divorce and claim alimony.
My husband works, Molly replied.
Different people, different follies, Lucy waved her hands. All the same exploiters. If you dont leash them early, theyll sit on your neck, chew your leg, and run off.
Molly began to wonder if shed been foolish to cling to him. Maybe Im just nervous about the operation, overthinking everything?
Nothing stops the other from speaking kindly, thats obvious, Lucy said. My man, at least, brings me fruit juices, calls, sends heart emojis.
Molly turned away, pulling a blanket over her head.
Going without food for a day when youre starving isnt easy. She tried to distract herself with chat, but the nurses kept pulling Lucy in for tests, and she was only there for brief moments. Her phone buzzed.
Family will talk to you to pass the time, Molly thought.
Her son, Andrew, didnt pick up, just sent a text that hed call back. Her daughter, Emma, let it ring twice before the number disappeared.
Good kids, Molly murmured, bewildered.
Dont they answer? Lucy asked between procedures.
Imagine that! Molly exclaimed. Is it really that hard to answer your mother?
Adults now live on their own, Lucy replied.
Fine, Mum, forget it! Youll only see them when you need something. Theyve flown the nest, and only a gust of wind will bring them back. My sixteenyearold son doesnt even think of me anymore. If they live separately, parents become useless! At most theyll show up for a funeral.
No, thats not true! We have a wonderful relationship! Molly insisted.
So why dont they pick up?
Lucy hurried off, leaving Molly to ponder. Is it really that hard to find a minute to speak with mum? All their recent calls were about money not a loan, just how much they could spare.
She felt a deep sadness. Lucys remark, The chicks have flown, rang true. Now they lived their own lives, remembering their parents only when they needed something.
She dialed her husband again. No answer. She left a message, which remained unread.
Ah, Vasili, Vasili! she muttered. If only youd shown up sooner!
By evening he finally texted: Where are our savings? Salarys finished, weve nothing left! Hed been paid three days earlier.
Honestly! Molly thought, recalling his past promises of feasts and wine. Yet she said nothing. If hed hinted he worried about her, she might have spoken up, but he stayed silent and let her fend for herself.
Brian answered a call later, but said he was busy and hung up.
Right, hes busy, Molly said.
Lucy was gone at that moment, so no one heard her retort. She recalled the halfyear shed lived in two houses after Brians wife dumped him, leaving children behind. Molly had looked after them, acted as mother, cook, cleaner, and everything until Brian found a new partner. Shed also been forced to mediate conflicts because Brian demanded love for his kids while she wanted her own, and his new family clashed with hers.
I spent a year and a half trying to keep the peace, and not a word of thanks. Now hes busy again, she thought. When she called him that evening, only a short tone and the line went dead.
Thanks for the black list, brother! she laughed bitterly. He also knew about her upcoming surgery. When he asked to take the kids for a month, Molly refused, citing the operation.
Grace gave her only five minutes, barely asking about health:
When will you be fit again? My brotherinlaws side is arriving about ten people. Well lodge them in a hotel, but theyll need food at home, a lot of it. Youre our only hope!
I dont know, Grace, Molly replied. The operations tough. Two or three weeks in hospital, then a recovery period. Doctors say about fifty days.
No, sister! Things dont work like that! Youll be back in three weeks, fit as a fiddle! Its my brotherinlaws family, theyre more important than anything! Grace snapped.
Im scared, Molly admitted.
Come on, stop whining! Chirpchirp and off you go! Grace shouted, storming out.
Its not a simple operation, there could be complications! Who knows whatll happen? Molly said, looking at her phone. Im almost fifty, and I still cant cook properly!
Grace kept calling on the younger sister to cater for her guests colleagues, husbands friends, any celebration. Molly hadnt left the kitchen in days, yet nobody ever invited her to their table.
Whats that? Grace demanded. Its a foreign crowd!
The surgery went without complications, but the hospital kept her for another two weeks. She didnt call anyone, waiting for someone to think of her. No one did not husband, not children, not brother or sister. She spent those days pondering until she reached a decisive conclusion.
Molly, what rubbish are you spouting? Brian shouted. Did they take your brain out with the uterus?
You remembered! Molly laughed. I thought no one would ever recall me.
She rose again to the head of the table.
Listen up, my dear relatives! Ive spent two weeks in hospital, and not a single soul bothered to ask how Im doing! She listed them all: No brother who loves me more than his new wife. No sister who used me as a free cook all my life. No husband who drained not only his salary but also the savings wed been putting away for a cottage. No children I gave life to not a single call!
A hush fell over the room.
Ive been ready to do anything for you all my life. The moment I needed just a little help, you werent there! She realized she could survive on her own. I wont be a errandrunner for you any longer.
She addressed each in turn: Vasili, divorce and no more talks! Get out of my flat! Children, live your own lives! If you ever need help, turn to your father Im gone! And you, Brian and Grace, Ill no longer look after you! Hire nannies and cooks elsewhere! Enough!
Are you out of your mind? relatives shouted.
Everyone, get up! Molly commanded. Line up and get the hell out of my life! I finally want to live for myself, not for you!
She sat down at the empty table, glanced at the shattered salad bowl and said, I went a bit overboard, but Ill start my new life with a brandnew bowl.
