Emily, you bought the wrong flour again! Margaret Whitakers voice rang through the flat. I told you to get the premium grade! The premium!
Emily stood at the kitchen counter, a grocery bag in her hands, trying to stay calm.
Mrs. Whitaker, the shop only had the standard grade. The premium wasnt in stock, she said.
So you should have gone to another shop! Margaret snatched the flour sack. You cant make proper pies with this stuff!
Theyll turn out fine. I always bake with the standard grade, Emily replied breathlessly.
I use the premium, and my pies are Vads favorite. Yours are just tolerated, Margaret retorted.
Emily bit her lip, refusing to argue. She was taking her mother, Evelyn, home from the hospital today; there was no room for nerves.
Fine, Ill buy better flour tomorrow.
Tomorrow! Margaret flailed her arms. And today? Will your son go without pies?
Ill bake with what we have, Emily said.
No, Ill bake them myself. You go rest.
Margaret slipped on an apron with exaggerated flair and began clearing the dishes. Emily slipped out of the kitchen quietly.
They had been sharing the twobedroom flat for six months. Margaret had moved in after breaking her leg, and James had insisted that his mother couldnt be left alone in that condition. He had promised it would be temporaryone or two months.
Six months later the leg had healed, but Margaret showed no intention of leaving. She took over the only bedroom, forcing Emily and James onto the sofa in the living room. The flat was tiny, and the cramped feeling never left.
Emily checked her watch. Mums discharge is at four; I have to be there. She walked into the lounge where James was glued to his laptop.
James, Im heading to Mums. Will you be home?
Yeah, Im not going anywhere, he said without looking up.
Do you want to come with me? Shell struggle on her own.
Emily, I have work. Deadline tomorrow.
Alright, Emily sighed. Ill manage alone.
Emily drove to the hospital. Evelyn looked tired but relieved.
Finally home, she said, gathering her things. Ive suffered enough in those walls.
Mum, how are you feeling?
Fine. The doctors say Im okay. All I need is rest and my meds on time.
Back at the car, Emily helped Evelyn into the passenger seat and loaded the bags.
Emily, are you sure James isnt against this? I could stay with my sister, Tanya. She offered.
Emily, whos Tanya? She lives on the other side of town with three children. Youll stay with us until youre strong enough.
What about your mother?
Emily tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
This is my flat. Im buying it before we get married, with my own money. Ill decide who lives here.
Evelyn sighed but said nothing.
They arrived home. Emily helped Evelyn up the fourth floor, unlocked the door, and froze at the entrance.
In the hallway, right by the front door, lay a heap of Emilys belongingsclothes, shoes, cosmetics, bookstogether in a chaotic pile. A few neighborhood children poked at the boxes with curiosity.
Whats this? Evelyn whispered.
Emily slipped into the flat, where Margaret was drying her hands at the sink.
Oh, youre back. Grab your stuff, or the whole hallway will be a mess, Margaret said coolly.
You you put my things out in the hallway? Emily asked, her voice tight.
Is that a problem? Margaret replied, unfazed. I cleared some space. Your mother will be staying, we need room for her.
You could have at least warned me!
Why would I? You said this is your flat. Do with it as you wish. I was just helping tidy the cupboard.
Emily felt her temper flare.
You dumped my personal items in the hallway!
I didnt dump them, I moved them. Theres a difference.
What difference? The kids are rummaging through them! The neighbours are watching!
Then take them back quickly.
Evelyn stood in the entryway, pale.
Emily, maybe I should really go to Tanya
No! Emily turned to her mother. Mum, youre not leaving. Well sort the things now.
She stepped back into the hallway and began gathering her clothes. Her hands trembled with anger and humiliation. Lydia Green, a neighbour from the third floor, passed by and asked, Everything alright, Emily?
Fine, Mrs. Green, Emily forced a smile.
She hauled the pile back into the flat. Evelyn helped, though she was weak. Margaret watched television in the lounge as if nothing had happened.
Wheres James? Emily asked.
He went to the shop. Ran out of flour, Margaret replied.
Emily escorted Evelyn to the former bedroom, now occupied by Margaret.
Mum, lie down and rest. Ill get you a tea, Emily said.
Emily, where will I sleep? This is Margarets stuff everywhere.
Mum will move to the lounge. That will be my mothers room now.
Emily left for the kitchen. Margaret was already there, her expression sour.
How long will your mother stay?
As long as she needs to.
And me? On the sofa?
You can return to your own flat. Your leg healed, you walk fine.
Margarets face hardened.
So youre kicking me out?
Im not kicking anyone out. Im just reminding you that you said this was temporary. Its been six months.
So you can shelter your mother but not mine!
My mother just had surgery; she needs care.
My health is fragile too! My blood pressure spikes, my heart aches!
Then hire a carer.
On what money? My pension is barely enough!
On the same money my mother will use if you force her out.
They stared each other down like opponents in a ring. The front door slammed open as James entered with bags.
Hey! Got the flour, he said cheerfully, then stopped, seeing the tension. Whats happening?
Your mother left my things in the hallway, Emily said flatly.
James looked at his mother. Mum, is that true?
Just making space for my mother, Margaret said with an innocent smile. Wanted to help.
Helped, huh, Emily replied, smirking. Now the whole building is gossiping about how my motherinlaw treats me.
Emily, Mum didnt mean any harm, James tried to smile. She just didnt think it through.
You didnt think through? She dumped my clothes, cosmetics, books! All in a mess! Kids rummaging, neighbours staring! Thats not didnt thinkthats humiliation!
Youre exaggerating, James muttered.
What?
Its just she was trying to do what she thought was best.
Emily felt a surge of fury.
James, seriously? She put my things out and you say Im exaggerating?
Emily, dont make a scene. Mums old, its hard for her.
And my mum? She just had an operation!
Your mum could stay with her sister.
James froze.
So youre suggesting we send my ill mother away so yours can stay?
Im not suggesting that. Its just logicalyour mum has a sister, mine doesnt.
But your mum has her own flat!
The lift is broken; its hard for her to get to the fifth floor.
The lift here is broken too, and were on the fourth floor!
Your mum is used to it.
James stared at Emily for a long moment.
So youre on her side.
Im on neither side. Im just trying to find a compromise.
A compromise is when both sides give a little. Youre only asking me to give everything.
Margaret interjected, James, tell her Im the lady of the house. Im your mother, shes just the wife. Wives come and go, mothers stay.
Mom, stop, James grimaced.
What should I stop? Speaking the truth? I gave birth to you, raised you! And what did she do? Turned this flat into a trophy?
Mrs. Whitaker, I bought this flat myself, Emily said coldly. Before we marry. With my own money. Its my property.
So now youll scold my husband?
Im not scolding, Im stating facts.
James, can you hear? Shes telling you the flat isnt yours!
Enough, James, he sighed, rubbing his face. Lets talk this through tonight. Right now everyones emotional.
Theres nothing to discuss, Emily said, pulling out her phone. My mother stays. Your mother either moves to the lounge or returns to her own flat.
Emily, dont issue ultimatums.
Its not an ultimatum. Its my condition for living in my own flat.
She left the kitchen and entered the bedroom where Evelyn lay, eyes closed.
Mum, how are you?
Fine, love. My head hurts a bit.
Ill get you a tablet. Rest now.
Mum, maybe I should really go to Tanya? I dont want to be the cause of this fight.
No, Mum. Youre not the cause. The cause is a motherinlaw who thinks she runs the house. But this is my flat, and I decide who lives here.
That night Emily and James collapsed on the sofa in the lounge. Margaret slammed the bedroom door shut for effect.
Emily, lets think this through, James tried to hug her, but she pulled away.
What are we thinking about?
Maybe they can both stay? Mum in the lounge, your mum in the bedroom.
And where do we sleep? In the kitchen?
This is only temporary, James said.
James, your mothers been here for half a year. How much longer is temporary?
Another month or two.
No. Either she leaves, or I do.
James sat up sharply. Where are you going?
To my mothers flat. Its cramped too, but at least theres no motherinlaw.
Emily, have you lost your mind? Were husband and wife!
Exactly. Husband and wife. Yet you protect your mother and ignore me.
Im not protecting anyone! I just dont want to hurt her!
And you think its okay to hurt me? She put my things in the hall, humiliated me, and you say Im overreacting!
What do you want from me?
Just to be on my side. To tell my mother this isnt acceptable. To defend me.
James fell silent.
Alright. Ill speak to her tomorrow.
Really?
Yes. Ill tell her she needs to move out.
Emily felt a wave of relief. Maybe not everything was lost.
The next morning she awoke to raised voices in the kitchen. James and Margaret were arguing.
Mum, this cant continue. You need to go back to your flat.
James, are you kicking me out?
Im not kicking anyone out. Its just crowded, and you have your own place.
But Im lonely! Its scary!
Mum, you lived alone for fifteen years after your husband died.
But Im getting older! I need support!
Ill visit every week. Help with shopping.
Margaret burst into tears.
You dont love me. You chose your wife over me!
Emily, what does this have to do with us? James interjected. This is my decision.
Your decision! Shes brainwashed you! She stole my son from his mother!
Emily stepped into the kitchen.
Good morning, she said politely.
Margaret glared at her. Youre the troublemaker! Happy now that youve taken my son?
I never took anyones son. James is my husband, not your property.
How dare you! Margaret shouted. I raised him! Who are you?
Im his wife, and this is my flat. I have the right to decide who lives here.
Youre heartless! Youre throwing an old woman out on the street!
You have a twobedroom flat in the city centre. Youre not homeless.
Its cold! The radiators barely work!
Call a plumber or buy a heater.
On what money? My pension is pitiful!
James will help financially, right, love?
James nodded. Yes, Mum, Ill help.
Margaret sobbed loudly and fled to the bedroom. Emily turned to James.
Thank you.
No problem, he said wearily. Youre right. This cant go on.
Margaret staged drama for three days, crying, blaming Emily for everything. James helped move her belongings, while Emily tried to stay out of sight.
Finally Margaret left. The flat breathed easy again. Evelyn stayed in the former bedroom, and James and Emily reclaimed their rightful place.
What a relief, Emily sighed, lying in her own bed. Finally home.
Mums upset, James said, staring at the ceiling. She says she wont talk to me anymore.
Itll pass, Emily replied.
What if it doesnt?
James, you made the right choice. Were a married couple; we must stand together.
I know, but I feel sorry for her. Shes truly alone.
Then visit her more often, help her out. But we should live separately.
James nodded.
A week passed without a call from Margaret. James tried to ring her, but she didnt answer. He grew uneasy.
Emily, should we go see her?
Go ahead. Ill stay with Mum.
He returned two hours later, looking worried.
Shes looking very thin, has lost weight, says she wont eat or sleep.
Maybe shes manipulating us?
I dont know, but she looks genuinely ill.
Emily thought it over.
James, I get that this is hard, but we cant bring her back here.
I know, I just dont know what else to do.
Perhaps we hire a caregiver? Someone to cook, clean, keep her company?
Its costly.
Its cheaper than losing our peace and our marriage.
James agreed. They found a middleaged woman who, for a reasonable fee, would visit Margaret three times a week.
Margaret accepted it without protest. She still didnt speak to Emily, but she spoke with James, who visited every Saturday to help with shopping and repairs.
Evelyns health improved, and after a month she moved back into her own flat. The house felt spacious again.
How wonderful, Emily said, hugging James. Now its just us.
Yes, thank you for standing up for us, he whispered, pulling her close. Im sorry I didnt protect you sooner.
The important thing is that you did in the end, Emily replied.
James smiled. I love my mum, but I love you more. A mother is part of the past; a wife is the present and future.
Emily rested her head on his shoulder. The whole incident with the hallway pile of belongings now seemed distant and almost absurd, yet it had taught her a lot. It taught her to defend her boundaries, to face conflict headon, and to fight for what mattered even when it was painful.
The biggest lesson she took away was that a home should be a sanctuary where you are the master of your own space, not a guest in someone elses life. And that true love endures trials, grows stronger, and never lets you give up on what you truly deserve.
