**Diary Entry A Lesson in Boundaries**
*”Victoria got on much better with my mum.”*
*”You know, if I started listing all the ways my ex was better than you, wed both be embarrassed. Well, maybe not me,”* Emily snapped, scrubbing the kitchen table with more force than necessary. *”If you and your mum were so happy with Victoria, why did you break up with her?”*
James turned away, sulking, and glared out the window.
*”You already know the story…”*
*”Exactly. So stop bringing up your precious Victoria,”* Emily cut in sharply. *”Unless you want me to be your next ex.”*
She meant it. She was ready to take drastic steps.
Shed met James nearly a year ago through mutual friends. Shed even known Victoriathough not wellbefore shed introduced James to their group. Then, a few months later, Victoria vanished without a trace.
One night, after a few too many drinks, James confessed hed caught Victoria cheating. Hed even shed a tear. At the time, Emily had found it endearinga man unafraid to show emotion, who valued love. Something in her had clickeda need to comfort him.
Now, she realised that *something* had likely been maternal instinct, not romantic interest. But back then, it had been enough to start a relationship.
It had been lovely at first. Hed meet her after work, drive her home, send sweet texts daily, and fuss over whether she was dressed warmly enough. Shed felt cherished.
Then Victoria messaged her.
*”Hey. I heard youre seeing James. Not my business, but be careful. He and his mum are a package deal.”*
Emily had noted the warning but brushed it off. Love could overcome anything, surely? Just because things had gone wrong with one woman didnt mean they would with her.
*”Thanks, but well figure it out,”* shed replied politely, not wanting to disrespect James.
But James had no such qualms about *her* comfort.
When his mother, Margaret, first turned up unannounced, Emily had tried to be understanding. Maybe they didnt realise how intrusive it was. Perhaps Margaret just wanted to check on her son.
Shed sent James to the door while she scrambled to get dressed, tying her hair back in a messy ponytail before stumbling out to meet her potential future mother-in-lawwho was already rifling through their dresser drawers.
*”Goodness, what a mess,”* Margaret had sighed, shaking her head. *”No wonder you lose socks. Emily, dear, after breakfast, Ill show you how to fold clothes properly.”*
No *hello*. Just criticism. Emily had been too stunned to react. A stranger was rooting through her underwearin *her* home! But snapping back wouldve been just as rude, so shed swallowed her irritation.
*”Oh, darling, those bags under your eyes!”* Margaret had tutted. *”You need cucumber slices. Or better yetget your kidneys checked. My friend had the same”*
Emily had smiled and nodded, pretending interest in the ailments of strangers while longing to crawl back into bed. It was 8 AM on a Sunday. Shed stayed up late, hoping to sleep in.
Wishful thinking.
Margaret had stayed until evening, dispensing unsolicited advice on flower care, bathroom scrubbing, and silver polishing. By the end, Emily was drained. And not once had James stepped in or hinted they needed space.
*”Is your mum always this involved?”* Emily had asked cautiously that night.
She didnt mind close families, but boundaries were healthy.
*”Yeah. Why? She just wants to be friends,”* James had shrugged. *”Victoria and I used to live with herwas brilliant. Now shes lonely.”*
*”Were not moving in with her, right?”* Emily had sighed.
*”Whats the problem? You dont like my mum?”* James had tensed. *”Victoria got on with her just fine.”*
Emily had stayed quiet. Victoria had been eight years youngera people-pleaser. Of course theyd got on. Shed probably memorised Margarets friends medical histories and ironed sheets to perfection.
But Emily hadnt signed up for that. She knew too much meddling ruined relationships. James disagreed.
*”Mums just sociable. Gets on with anyone.”*
*”Not everyone wants that,”* Emily had nearly retorted but held her tongue.
It got worse. Margaret returned the next morningthis time inspecting their fridge.
*”Chicken eggs? I only ever bought quail eggs for James. Much better for men,”* shed declared. *”And these shelvesfilthy! You eat off these, Emily.”*
*”I dont eat directly off the shelves,”* Emily had thought bitterly.
*”Ill clean them later,”* shed promised. *”We were planning to relax today. Its the weekend…”*
James, meanwhile, had slept through it all.
*”Weekends are for cooking and cleaning!”* Margaret had insisted. *”Fetch a sponge. Next weekend, Ill teach you Jamess favourite meat pie. To die for!”*
Emily had folded her arms. She wasnt about to spend another day obeying orders.
*”Margaret, maybe call before visiting? I might have plans.”*
*”Call? I cant visit my own son now?”* Margaret had scowled.
*”You can. But he lives with me now. We should respect each others space.”*
*”Victoria never minded,”* Margaret had sniffed.
*”Well, my exs mum never barged in at dawn. She *did* bring cherry pies, though. Want the recipe?”*
Margarets face had darkened. *”Think carefully, dear. The nightingale doesnt outsing the lark.”*
Shed left then, but the tension lingered. James didnt listen. Margaret treated their home as hers. And Victorias ghost haunted every argument.
*”Victorias cabbage rolls were better. Her mum taught her,”* James would muse over dinner.
*”Then ask *her* to teach you,”* Emily would retort.
She suspected Margaret encouraged these comments but refused to engage. She just wanted the topic gone.
A month passed peacefullyuntil Margaret returned, ringing the doorbell at dawn. This time, Emily refused to answer. Rude? Maybe. But so was ignoring clear boundaries.
Five minutes later, a bleary-eyed James stumbled out.
*”Why didnt you open the door?”*
*”I dont want to. Guests should call firstand keep their hands out of my drawers.”*
*”Shes my *mother*!”*
*”Then meet her outside. Not in *my* home.”*
The row that followed probably woke the neighbours. James accused her of rejecting his family. Margaret screamed through the door, demanding entry. Finally, Emily had had enough.
*”Either you explain what *guest* means and send her home, or were done.”*
James chose the latter.
She wasnt heartbroken. Theyd never married, and living with a man still tied to his ex and his mother wasnt a future she wanted.
Months later, word reached herJames had a new girlfriend. A mutual friend broke the news.
*”She moved in with him and his mum but already wants out. Asked to meet you.”*
*”Why?”*
*”Apparently, Margaret now says youre perfectbeautiful, strong-willed, a great cook.”*
*”Wait. *Margaret* said that? About *me*?”*
*”Guess you only become good once youve left James,”* the friend chuckled.
Since then, Emilys listened more carefully to warnings. She doesnt believe every rumour, but she doesnt ignore them either. And she steers clear of men who dwell on exesor cant cut the apron strings.
**Lesson learned: Love shouldnt come with a side of meddling.**
