Dear Diary,
Good heavens, what a sight! I muttered as the firespirit of the kitchen threw its glare onto my sisterinlaw, and I turned my back on her in a flash. A year later, at a new gathering, the same feeling pierced my heart.
Evelyn slipped into the cottage carrying the heavy grocery bags, and as she set them down in the kitchen she heard the familiar clatter from the bedroom. She didnt need a crystal ball to know that Thomas was again glued to his computer.
Another tank game? she said reluctantly, noticing the same screenshot on the laptop screen.
Yeah, dont distract me, he muttered, eyes never leaving the monitor.
After a long day at the warehouse, Evelyn began to unpack the shoptillyoudrop. Her head was buzzing; all she wanted was a place to lie down and forget. Thomas peeked into the kitchen, rubbed his belly and asked, Are you going to feed me, or what?
Later, love. First I have to cook it, she replied, trying to hide her fatigue. By the way, Mum called. Weve got a family gathering on Saturday. Dont forget a present, Thomas added, shuffling back to his room where the laptop waited, a slice of ham already in his mouth.
Evelyn sighed heavily. The thought of meeting the motherinlaw always tightened her chest. From the start the Whitaker family had been frosty toward her. My motherinlaw constantly found fault, treating Evelyn as unworthy of her son. Evelyn once tried to win her favour, but quickly realised it was a lost cause. Now they only saw each other on special occasions.
While the pot simmered, Evelyn stepped out to check the garden. She kept the chickens, geese and rabbits herself; I never helped with the farm, but I devoured everything she cooked with gusto. When she returned, she found me with a blissful grin, polishing off the last pork chop.
For that, I love you, Evie! Youre a brilliant housewife! I shouted, mouth full.
She smiled, made herself a sandwich, brewed a cup of tea and sat opposite me.
Thomas, I really want a child. Weve been together five years and you still arent ready. Why? she asked.
A child? Evie, were barely getting by on our wages. Ive been out of work for months, and you do all the heavy lifting. What child? I snapped back, irritated.
Conversations about a baby had become more frequent. Evelyn had long dreamed of motherhood, but I always sidestepped the topic.
Youre looking for a job, arent you? Get one and things will sort themselves. Start somewhere, she urged, eyes hopeful.
I want to live, not just survive! I growled, storming out of the room.
She held herself together, but later that night she broke down in the bedroom. The next morning I was still at the computer, playing until dawn, while Evelyn rose early for her shift at the warehouse. She barely slept, turning over our marriage in her mind.
Did I love her? Yes. Lately, however, she felt I was draining her emotions, dumping all the worries onto her. Id become passive, but she clung to the belief that a steady job and a baby would fix everything, even as her hopes drifted further from reality.
When her alarm rang, she found me asleep in the armchair. She slipped a blanket over me quietly and headed off to work.
Friday was spent hunting for a gift for my motherinlaw. She knew Id never be pleased, but I didnt want to show up emptyhanded. On Saturday we arrived at the Whitakers manor. The moment I crossed the threshold, I felt my motherinlaws icy stare. It was clear she hadnt been expecting us, and shed rather I stay home, but I insisted we stay.
The party was crowded with my sister, her husband, and their daughter. Evelyn spent the whole evening with the child, never invited to the table, ignored by everyone. She drifted to the kitchen for a glass of water and overheard a conversation:
Son, why did you pick her? I told you she wasnt a good match. Shes a country girl! Dont even think about having kids with her.
Come on, Mum. Shes good enough Im fed up. There are plenty of pretty girls, and shes?
Who would want you without money or work? She agrees with everything. As soon as I get a decent job, Ill find a replacement, Thomas said.
Evelyns heart froze. My motherinlaws words werent a surprise, but hearing my own husbands betrayal shattered her. She left the room speechless, dressed and fled, tears choking her.
She wandered until she ran into an old friend of mine, Igor. Are you alright? he asked.
Evelyn looked up, surprised to see a familiar face. Igor invited her for tea at a cosy café, and she accepted.
Over steaming cups we talked about life. He confessed hed never truly forgotten her. She remembered the day shed chosen me over him. Igor told her hed moved to Manchester, started a business, and had only just returned because his mother fell ill. Seeing Evelyn again felt like fate had given them a second chance.
When he dropped her home, the windows were still lit. As she entered, she heard my voice: Where have you been? Why did you leave without saying goodbye?
Who am I saying goodbye to? Those who look down on me? You, who talks about me behind my back? Youre right, Thomas. I dont want a child with a man who sees me as a simple country girl. Thats all I ever tried to prove to you, she whispered, tears streaming, and retreated to another room.
Later that night, during her night shift, a colleague burst in: Your house is on fire! Panic drove her outside; flames were visible from the road. People swarmed, waiting for the fire brigade. Not seeing me, she ran back inside. The last thing she remembered was a burning beam falling on her.
She awoke in a hospital, every inch of her body aching, her face bandaged. Fear of the prognosis gripped her, until a hand brushed hers. It was me.
Youre alive she hissed.
Why would I be dead? Im still young. But that scar on your face how am I supposed to kiss you? Disgusting! Well, get better, I muttered, then left.
Her tears soaked the gauze. A few days later I returned, murmured a few words and vanished. From the ward window she saw me meeting another woman, hugging her and walking away together. It hurt, but she no longer expected anything else.
The surgeon later announced the scar could be removed; modern plastic surgery works miracles. He added that a single person had saved her life. In the intensive care unit she saw Igor, the man whod pulled her from the fire, now badly injured himself. Since then Evelyn visited him daily. When he recovered enough to speak, he admitted hed long wanted to see her again but had been too scared, yet hed risked his life to rescue her.
Months later, in the park, pushing a pram with our little girl, Evelyn heard a familiar voice. Thomas stood before her, thin and bewildered.
How are you?
Great. Im out for a walk with our daughter, she replied, noticing Igor approaching with an icecream.
How did you get that scar? Thomas asked.
Love works miracles, Evelyn said, smiling, and hugged Igor. They walked off together, leaving Thomas staring after them.
Looking back, I realise I let pride and fear dictate my choices, pushing away the very people who cared for me. I have learned that honesty and respect matter more than any ambition or stubbornness.
Thomas Whitaker.
