Emily could not simply walk away.
She and James went ahead and married despite the disapproval of her mother, Margaret Whitmore.
Girl, you dont need a man like that, Margaret scolded. What can James possibly offer? He was raised by his granny, his parents died when he was a child, and he works in a small garage just a proper labourer.
Mother, James isnt to blame for his parents death, Emily replied, a hint of irritation in her voice. Hes finished college, hes handy with his hands, and he can do almost anything.
But all he can do is tinker with metal parts, Margaret snapped. How will you survive on his wages? Youre only in your final year at university; you must finish your studies. Without my and your fathers help youll be lost.
Emily was used to hearing such tirades from Margaret, though James never heard them because he was at work. Margaret spent her time trying to sow discord between the newlyweds, determined to drive a wedge between them. She could not stand her soninlaw.
James was a serious young man, a veteran of the army who loved Emily deeply; she could not picture life without him. Before the wedding he tried to persuade her:
Lets live with my grandmother. Its only a twobedroom flat, not the fourroom house your parents own, he said, aware that Margaret could barely tolerate him, even though he got along well with Emilys father. In the Whitmore household, Margaret ruled with an iron fist.
If Margaret set her mind to something, she would see it through by any means. Emily knew this, so she held fast to her own decisions, relying mainly on herself. Margaret hated Emilys independence, yet she recognised it as a trait she herself possessed only not all of them.
Emily understood that Jamess mother was a source of tension, but she managed to persuade him to stay with her parents for a while.
James, Im still studying, youre the only earner. It would be hard for us to live on one salary, but Mum will always help, she said.
Fine, well see, James replied.
When James received his first paycheck he stopped at a supermarket for a few essentials. Emily had not yet returned from her lectures. Margaret met him at the door, saw the groceries, and burst out:
Who asked you to buy that?
I decided myself, James answered calmly. Emily loves that cheese, and theres, but Margaret cut him off.
Who are you? Youre a stranger in this house, you have no name here. I tolerate you only for my daughter who chose you, she snapped, leaving James stunned.
Mrs. Whitmore, why are you insulting me? Im speaking to you respectfully, James tried to keep his tone even.
Listen, youll give me every penny of your next salary, and that will always be the rule. Ill decide how the money is spent, even the groceries. Understand? she demanded.
Why should I hand over my wages to you? Emily and I are a family, James protested.
No, youre not a family. Hand over the money now, Margaret insisted.
I earned it, and Ill give it to my wife, James said.
Then get out of my flat at once. I dont want to see you again, Margaret shouted.
James left. Three days passed without any word from him. Emily waited, terrified to go after him, though she knew his departure was not without reason she was also expecting a child.
He hasnt even called, she thought. He must be at his grandmother Eleanors place.
Margaret gave Emily a brief version of what had happened, painting James as the offender. She never mentioned that she had demanded his wages or thrown him out.
Mother, youve been honest with me, right? You havent hidden anything, Emily asked, suspicious.
Darling, why would I lie to you? Margaret replied.
On the fourth day Emily decided to drive to Jamess grandmothers house; he still ignored her calls.
Im going to see James, she told her mother.
Where?
At his flat surely hes at his grannys, Emily replied.
But if he hasnt shown up, perhaps you mean nothing to him, Margaret retorted.
No, James wouldnt just walk away. I dont know what you two argued about, but youre keeping something from me. He couldnt simply vanish, Emily pleaded.
Your precious James is your priority, while Im left to shoulder all the costs. You both are ungrateful, Margaret snapped.
Mother, Im grateful for your support, but I know you cant stand James. Youre always picking on him, as if he were a burden, Emily said, grabbing her bag and coat, and rushed out.
On the way she told herself she must not act like a petulant child, no matter what her mother said. James was an adult; she had to keep her composure. She tried to convince herself that James had left because of a careless remark from Margaret, and that now he awaited her return. She planned to speak her mind to him first, then forgive him generously.
When she arrived at Eleanors flat, the sight that greeted her was shocking. Eleanor opened the door with a rueful expression, ushered Emily inside, and gestured toward the kitchen table where James sat beside an opened bottle of gin. Emily was stunned James had never smoked or drunk before.
James seemed unfazed by his wifes arrival, though he wasnt intoxicated, only a little tipsy. He nodded toward an empty chair opposite him. Emily sat down, met his eyes, and all the words she had rehearsed fled her, her heart tightening with sorrow.
What could my mother have said that would drive James to open that bottle? Emily wondered, then whispered, James, lets go home.
No, James answered loudly.
Why?
I cant live with your mother any longer. She tells me what to do, how to eat, how to speak, even how to breathe. She wants all my earnings, and I will not hand them over. We are a family of our own, he said.
Ah, thats the crux of it, Emily murmured softly, realizing she had not told James the whole of Margarets tirade.
What do we do now?
I dont know. We could stay here with my granny, James replied.
But we need money, the baby is coming, and a child needs a lot, Emily protested.
Im paid well; I can work tenhour shifts, even longer if I have to, James said.
You dont understand with my studies and your work we wont be able to raise a child properly. Well need to buy food, cook, and I cant afford to drop my studies. Lets move back with my parents until the baby is born, then Ill find a job, Emily suggested.
No, I wont go back to my motherinlaw, James declared firmly.
Then perhaps we should divorce, Emily snapped, startling herself with the suddenness of the words.
If you cant live with me, if you cant give up the comfort of your parents, maybe divorce is the only option, James replied sharply.
Emily rose to leave, but Eleanor called her back.
Sit down, sweetheart, calm down. Ive been listening because I know this could end badly. Ill help you. You dont have to quit your studies; Im not rich, just a modest pension, but I can share what I have. Ill cook and look after my greatgrandson. Please, dont think about divorce. Move in with us, Eleanor pleaded.
Emily accepted. She had often thought of her parents support, but love for James made her choose a new path. Her own family, her husband, and the unborn son now mattered most.
James watched his wife, his tension easing as he sensed she might accept Eleanors offer. At last Emily smiled.
Alright, Ill stay. Where else would I be, James? she said. He leapt up, embraced her, kissed her, while Eleanor smiled and whispered a prayer.
Emily still had to endure Margarets harsh words as she packed her things to leave the Whitmore house. Margaret ranted from the doorway, Youll starve with James, youll live in poverty, and I dont want a grandson. Hell grow up as stubborn as his father! Emilys hair practically stood on end from the barrage.
She stepped out with her suitcase, set it on the pavement, and James helped her carry it downstairs, while the curses echoed behind them.
Good Lord, even my own mother, Emily gasped, realizing she had made the right choice by leaving, finally understanding Jamess suffering.
Life settled for James and Emily at Eleanors flat. Eleanor took care of the household, and Emily endured her pregnancy without trouble, later giving birth to a healthy baby boy, Oliver. The three of them were overjoyed. Margaret cut off contact, never wishing to see her grandson. Their grandfather, however, called in secret, asking about Oliver, and Emily sent him pictures, which made him delighted.
When Oliver turned three, he started at a nursery, despite Eleanors protests that she could look after him. Emily told her grandmother, Oliver needs to be with other children; the nursery will help him develop faster. Youll still be close, just pick him up after school. And you should rest too; were planning another baby, a daughter, she laughed.
Thus, the family learned that love, patience, and a willingness to set healthy boundaries can turn even the most tangled conflicts into a harmonious life. The true lesson is that stubborn pride and meddling can ruin relationships, but compassion and mutual respect build lasting happiness.
