«We didnt invite her,» whispered my daughter-in-law when she saw me at the door.
«Mum, when is Granny Olive coming?» asked little Maisie, smearing the last of her porridge across her plate.
«I dont know, love. Maybe she wont come at all,» replied Sarah, clearing the breakfast dishes.
Andrew looked up from his newspaper and shot his wife a disapproving glance.
«What do you mean, she wont come? Mums always come for Maisies birthday. Its practically a tradition now.»
«Well, let it stay a tradition in your dreams,» muttered Sarah, slamming the cups into the sink.
Seven-year-old Maisie frowned, glancing between her parents. She hated it when they spoke to each other in that sharp toneespecially when it was about Granny Olive.
«But I want Granny to come! She always brings me presents, and we go to the park, and she tells me stories about princesses!»
«Maisie, go brush your teeth, or well be late for nursery,» Sarah cut in.
The little girl pouted but obediently slid off her chair and shuffled to the bathroom.
«Sarah, what are you doing?» Andrew said quietly, stepping closer to his wife. «The childs waiting for her grandmother.»
«And is that my fault?» Sarah spun to face him. «Your mother decided she wouldnt come anymoreafter that talk last time.»
«What talk? You just told her everything you thought about her parenting methods!»
«I told her the truth!» Sarahs voice rose. «Shes spoiled Maisie rotten! Every time she visits, it takes a week to get the girl back to normalGranny buys me this, Granny lets me do that!»
Andrew clenched his fists, then took a deep breath.
«Mum just loves her granddaughter. Shes lonely since Dad passed. Maisies her only joy.»
«Oh, joy, is it?» Sarah scoffed. «And who has to deal with the fallout? Not her!»
From the bathroom came the sound of splashing water and a nursery rhyme. Maisie was brushing her teeth, singing along to a tune from a cartoon.
«Look, lets not do this in front of her,» Andrew pleaded. «Maisie doesnt deserve this.»
Sarah dried her hands on a tea towel and sank into a chair, her head bowed.
«Andrew, Im not a monster. I feel for your mum too. But shes always interferingcriticising me, making comments. Last time, she actually said I was a bad mother because I wouldnt let Maisie have ice cream before bed!»
«Mum just cares in her own way»
«Her own way?» Sarah interrupted. «And whatI care in someone elses? Shes my daughter, and I know whats best for her!»
Maisie burst out of the bathroom, her chin still damp, beaming.
«Mum, Dad, lets call Granny Olive ourselves! Lets tell her we miss her ever so much!»
Sarah and Andrew exchanged glances. In his wifes eyes, he saw exhaustionand something like resignation.
«Mais, hurry up and get ready,» Sarah said softly. «Or well be late, and Mrs. Wilkins will scold us.»
The day passed as usual. Sarah dropped Maisie at nursery, then went to her job as an accountant at a small construction firm, where she spent hours at her desk, punching numbers into a calculator. The work wasnt thrilling, but the pay was steady, and that was what mattered.
At lunch, her colleague Natalie asked, «Sarah, why so gloomy? Trouble at home?»
«Just family drama,» Sarah sighed. «Mother-in-laws upset and wont visit. Maisies heartbroken.»
«What happened?»
Sarah stirred her lukewarm soup absently.
«Nat, maybe I am a bit of a cow. But shes always telling me how to raise my child! Sarah, why is Maisie wearing that jumper, shell catch cold, Sarah, isnt it too early for bed, let the girl play, Sarah, do you take her out enough, she looks pale.»
«Its just love for her grandchild,» Natalie offered.
«Oh, I know that love. When Andrew was little, she dragged him to doctors every weekwrapped him in cotton wool, never let him play outside in case he got hurt. Hes told me himself how stifled he felt. Now he cant make a decision without second-guessing himself!»
Natalie chuckled.
«And now shes doing the same with Maisie?»
«Exactly! And I wont have it. Better she doesnt come at all than drive me mad!»
But the words lacked conviction. Deep down, Sarah pitied her mother-in-lawand Maisieand even Andrew.
That evening, after Maisie was asleep, the couple sat at the kitchen table with tea. Andrew flipped through a magazine while Sarah worked on a crossword. The silence stretched.
«Listen,» Andrew finally said. «Should we call Mum? Maisies birthdays next week.»
Sarah looked up sharply.
«You want to call her?»
«I dont know. You said if she didnt like how we raise Maisie, she shouldnt come. She took it to heart.»
«Andrew, I didnt throw her out! I just asked her not to interfere. But she made a scene, said awful things, and stormed off!»
«Mum was just upset»
«Mum! Mum!» Sarah snapped. «Youre thirty-two, with a family of your own! When will you start being a husband and father instead of a mummys boy?»
Andrews face went pale.
«Dont make this personal, Sarah.»
«It is personal! Your mothers controlled you your whole lifeeven picked your wife, though I didnt meet her perfect daughter-in-law standards!»
«Thats not true»
«Oh, isnt it? Remember what she said when we married? Well, Andrew, lets see how Sarah handles married life. Like I was on trial!»
Andrew stood, pacing the kitchen.
«Fine, maybe Mum oversteps sometimes. But shes not our enemy! She worries, she wants to help»
«She wants control!» Sarah shot back. «And you know ityoure just too scared to admit it.»
«Alright,» Andrew sighed. «We wont call. If youre so against it»
«Im not against it!» Sarah blurted. «I just want her to respect boundaries! To visit as a grandmother, not a dictator!»
«Then what do you suggest?»
Sarah slumped into her chair, resting her forehead in her hands.
«I dont know. Honestly, I dont.»
The next day, there was an incident at nursery. Maisie had fought with a boy named Thomas from the older group. The teacher, Mrs. Wilkins, called Sarah in.
«Mrs. Carter,» she said sternly, «Maisies been very aggressive latelyfighting, shouting. Whats happening at home?»
Sarahs face burned.
«Nothing unusual. Just family life.»
«Children sense tension. Maisie keeps asking when Grannys comingtoday she yelled at Thomas, Youre horrid, just like Mummy!»
Sarah looked down. So Maisie had heard more than theyd realised.
«Ill talk to her,» she promised.
«Id recommend a child psychologist. We have an excellent one»
«No, thank you. Well manage.»
At home, Sarah sat beside Maisie, who was quietly building with blocks.
«Maisie, lets talk.»
«About what?» the girl mumbled, not looking up.
«About what happened at nursery. Mrs. Wilkins said you hit Thomas.»
«He said Grannys never coming back because you chased her away!» Maisie burst into tears. «And I called him a liar, but he laughed!»
Sarah pulled her close.
«Oh, my love, no one chased Granny away. Grown-ups just disagree sometimes»
«Disa what?»
«When people see things differently. But we still love Granny Olive.»
«Then why isnt she coming?»
«Because» Sarah hesitated. How could she explain what she barely understood herself?
Maisie looked up with wet eyes.
«Mum, can we go to Grannys? On the bus, like last time?»
«Sweetheart, its far, and Granny might not expect us»
«But we can call and ask!» Maisie brightened. «Right now!»
Sarah saw the hope in her daughters eyes, and her heart ached.
«Alright,» she said softly. «Well call.»
The phone rang for a long time. When Granny Olives familiar voice finally answered, Sarahs mouth went dry.
«Olive? Its Sarah.»
Silence. Then, coolly:
«Yes?»
«Maisies birthday is soon. Shes desperate to see you»
«Ill phone my wishes. Give her my love.»
«But she wants you here!»
«And you?» The question caught Sarah off guard.
«I I do too. Olive, lets talk properly. No shouting, no grudges.»
Another pause.
«Put Maisie on.»
«Granny!» Maisie squealed. «Granny, when are you coming? I can read a whole book now!»
Sarah only heard Maisies side, but the girls face fell with each reply.
«But Granny, I want you at my party! All my friends ask where you are Why cant you come? Whats grown-up problems?»
Maisie handed the phone back, lip trembling.
«Granny wants to talk to you.»
«Sarah,» Olives voice was weary. «The child shouldnt suffer because of us.»
«I agree.»
«Then tell mewhat have I done so wrong? Why do you resent me?»
Sarah leaned her forehead against the wall.
«Olive, I dont resent you. But I feel you dont trust me as a mother. Always advising, criticising»
«I only want to help! I raised Andrew»
«But this is my child!» Sarahs voice broke. «My daughter! I have the right to raise her as I see fit!»
«You do. And I have the right to my opinion.»
«Olive,» Sarah steadied herself. «When you constantly correct me, it feels like youre saying Im a bad mother. And Im trying my bestI love Maisie more than anything.»
A long silence. Then, quietly:
«I love her too. But perhaps we disagree on whats best.»
«Perhaps.»
«Sarah if I visit, and interfere less could you try to be more patient with me?»
Something unclenched in Sarahs chest.
«I can try.»
«Then Ill come for Maisies birthday. Just for two days.»
«Thank you, Olive.»
«Nothank you. For not cutting me out of my granddaughters life.»
When Sarah hung up, Maisie was watching her intently.
«Mum, is Granny coming?»
«Yes, darling.»
«And you wont be cross with her?»
«Ill try not to be.»
Maisie threw her arms around Sarahs neck.
«And Ill be extra good, so you dont argue!»
That evening, telling Andrew about the call, Sarah felt oddly at peace.
«Maybe we were both wrong,» she admitted. «I overreacted, and your mum overstepped.»
«Shes always struggled with boundaries,» Andrew said. «Controls her way of caring.»
«And Im too stubborn. Both extremes.»
«Do you think itll work?»
«I dont know. But for Maisies sake, its worth trying.»
On Maisies birthday, Olive arrived with a huge cake and a small bouquet for Sarah.
«We didnt invite her,» Sarah murmured at firstthen smiled and said louder, «But were so glad youre here.»
Olive handed her the flowers.
«Sarah, lets start fresh. Ill just be Granny.»
«And Ill be more patient.»
Maisie rushed in and clung to Olive.
«Granny! You came! I thought you didnt love me anymore!»
«Silly girl,» Olives voice wavered. «How could I stop loving my best girl?»
Watching them, Sarah realised the most important thing had survivedlove. They just had to learn to show it without hurt or pride.
The day passed peacefully. Olive held back her advice, and Sarah bit back her sharpness. Maisies happiness was enough.
As Olive left, she said, «Thank you for the second chance.»
«Thank you for loving my daughter.»
«Our daughter,» Olive corrected with a smile.
For the first time in years, Sarah dared to hope they might truly be a family.
