Dont you have a mother any more! my motherinlaw shrieked, the words spilling out like hot tea over a teacup. Forget you ever had one. After you get married, youll stop bothering me and act as if I never existed. And I wont be handing over any wedding money either. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot the bill for this whole farce.
James, my little lad, would hug me and say, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything to keep that smile on your face. He had no idea how those simple words turned my heart inside out. I was proud to have raised such a wonderful boy, who Id always called my little angel. His golden curls, blue eyes, and perfectly chiseled features gave him an air of aristocracy. As he grew, I became ever more meticulous about the sort of woman Id allow into our family. She had to come from a respectable line, be wellkept, have a slim figure, a university degree, impeccable manners, and a solid job at a reputable firm.
The flat is already Jamess, Id tell any prospective daughterinlaw. All we need now is a suitable lady to keep it tidy, ready to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning, because thats her duty as wife and housekeeper.
Time passed, and my standards only hardened. No woman over twentyfive, or shell have weak offspring. And we must be certain the child is Jamess.
Eleanor, have some decency, my sisters would warn me. There arent many girls these days who meet your checklist. If you want James to marry and have children, stop meddling or hell stay a bachelor forever.
James graduated with honours from both secondary school and university, landed a wellpaid position in a city firm, yet his love life was a disaster. The moment he introduced a girl to his mother, I found a thousand reasons to turn her away. At every meeting Id say, James, could you fetch some fruit from the kitchen while we have a chat?
The first girl we met was Emily. She came from a modest background: her mother a bookkeeper, her father a boiler operator, and two younger brothers. Emily worked as a pharmacy assistant, which made me think, She has constant access to medicines. What if she poisons my son? Or me? No, shes out.
Sweetheart, you realise you cant marry James, dont you? I snapped when we were alone with Emily. Youre worlds apart. He grew up in a different world, something you could never imagine. Better forget him and find someone simpler.
Emily left without a word, not even a goodbye to James. When he asked why, she shrugged, Ask your mother who raised you in such special conditions. She says youre too good for me, so Ill look for someone more ordinary.
Mother, why did you hurt Emily? I really like her, James pleaded. What did you tell her?
Son, youve forgotten something, I replied slowly. Im your mother and I know best what will make you happy. Not Emily, thats for sure. Where did you even find that ladylike sort? Theres no one from a respectable family left.
James realised arguing with me was pointless and walked away. He would occasionally mention meeting a new girl but never brought her home. I offered my help in setting up a family, but he always declined politely. Thats my business with my wife. Ill marry, not you. Ill choose for myself.
I know exactly who youll pick, I muttered. Some cleaninglady with nothing in her head but mops and rags.
And shell have the floor spotless, James smirked.
Dont talk to me like that! I snapped. He retreated to his room. Eventually he moved out of my house and into a flat I owned, which we had been renting out together.
Relations with his father, Robert, had been strained since the divorce when James was six. Robert hadnt spoken to his son for years, but recently agreed to meet.
Do you know why I left Margaret? Robert said. She never gave me space, constantly monitored everything where I went, why, what people said about her. When I tried to spend time with you, shed argue I couldt teach you anything because I lacked a degree. Why should she have taken care of me, let alone had children? I was just a workhorse for her. Then I thought, why waste my life on a madwoman who never cared about me? I left, she refused child support and stripped me of parental rights.
Happy now? James asked, eyebrows knit.
Whats that to you? Robert replied, hurt. I bought you that flat and handed over the keys. Did she tell you?
What? James stared, bewildered.
I saved for ten years to give you your own corner. Id rather you not end up living with her again. She doesnt think of anyone as a person.
Why didnt you talk to me? James asked, unsure.
I didnt want you to have problems. Margaret threatened to take you to another town and Id never see you again. So I watched from afar.
Those words made James rethink his mother. He kept saying he wanted a partner who reminded him of her, and I, with a reluctant smile, thought hed never find anyone quite like me. I was a oneinamillion, perhaps a oneinabillion, sort of woman.
After Emily, James tried other women, but none passed my inspection. Finally he set a condition:
Either you stop interfering in my life, or Ill stop seeing you.
You ungrateful child, I retorted. Who do you think youre talking to? I bought you a home, funded your education. How dare you?
Enough, Mum, James begged. I know who actually bought that flat. I spoke with Dad; he told me everything.
And you trust him? I exploded. Not my own mother, but some loser?
If anything, that loser is my father. Or not?
My face flushed with shame. I stared at him with contempt and shut myself away. The next morning she didnt come down for breakfast. James knocked, heard a furious shout:
Leave me alone and go back to your worthless father!
Mum, why are you like this? James opened the door and found her on the bed, hair wild, dress rumpled, staring at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to the polished, perfumeladen image she usually presented.
You know what, son? she said slowly. Marry whoever you like, be it a Papuan with a penguins mix or an Indian rhino. Just forget you have a mother. After the wedding you wont disturb me, and I wont give you any wedding money. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont pay for any of this nonsense.
I get it, Mum, James replied with a wry bow, closing the door behind him. That day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later he called me to a restaurant to announce his impending marriage.
And who is she? I asked, indifferent.
No matter who she is, youll never like her, he answered coolly. Just so you know, her name is Charlotte. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctors. A very respectable girl.
My word, where does that confidence come from? I rolled my eyes. Show me a photo.
He pulled out his phone and displayed a picture. I pursed my lips and shook my head disapprovingly.
Is that the future mother of my grandchildren? What a horror!
The girl in the photo had an unmistakably Eastern look.
This is some Gulchatai, not Charlotte. Why call her that?
Charlottes half Korean, James explained patiently.
Even better, I sneered. Like a bulldogrhino mix.
Shell grow on you once you know her after the wedding, James grinned.
My breath caught at his words.
After the wedding? Youre really getting married? Just to spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? For my own happiness, he said, summoning the waitress to place an order.
I sat in shock, trying to picture my grandchildren with that face. It was a bleak vision.
At the wedding, James approached me sternly.
No dramas, please. If Charlotte leaves me because of you, Ill never forgive you. Understand?
I had to keep my head down, quieter than a mouse in a field. I watched as the radiant bride and my ecstatic son received congratulations, danced, and exchanged loving glances. The next day the newlyweds arrived with a treat for me, but I wouldnt let them in.
So, son, I said, Ive done exactly what you wanted. Now listen to me. Dont bring that troublesome mix back into my sight. Do you even realise what youre doing? You could have a thousand wives, but a mother is only one.
The newlyweds left, and I tossed the gift into the bin.
I wont take a thing from that halfbreed, I snarled.
Afterward, Charlotte began looking after me, arranging nurses and a livein carer so I wouldnt be left alone. I could never accept the daughterinlaw Id despised for daring to compare her unfavourably to me.
You said youd find someone like me. How is she like me? I growled, aware that I now relied on Charlottes care, a fact that grated on my pride.
When the phone rang, I answered in a melodic tone, Hello, dear Charlotte. How are you? My blood pressures a bit jumpy. Could you pop round and check on me?
And so the story goes, with a mother stubborn as ever, a son determined to live his own life, and a daughterinlaw trying to bridge the gap between two very different worlds.
