Youre not family, said the mother-in-law, sliding the meat from her daughter-in-laws plate back into the pot.
Emily froze by the stove, holding her plate. The gravy from the stew Margaret had just made still smeared the surface. Piece by piece, the meat vanished into the pot, as if her mother-in-law were counting every morsel.
Excuse me? Emily asked, hardly believing her ears.
Whats unclear? Margaret wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face her. We never accepted you into this family. You forced your way in.
The kitchen fell so silent that the bubbling of soup on the stove was the only sound. Emily set her plate on the table and pushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Her hands trembled.
Margaret, I dont understand. Victor and I have been married five years! We have a daughter
So what? Margaret cut her off. Lily is our blood, thats true. But you? Youll always be an outsider.
The kitchen door swung open, and Victor walked in, his hair disheveled, shirt half-buttonedclearly fresh from a nap after work.
Whats going on? He glanced between his wife and mother. Why are you shouting?
Were not shouting, Margaret replied calmly. Just talking. Explaining how things work in this house to your wife.
Victor frowned and looked at Emily. She stood pale, lips pressed tight.
Mum, what did you say?
The truth. That meat isnt for everyone. The familys large, the portions small.
Emily felt a lump rise in her throat. That was it. Five years shed thought she was part of this family. Five years trying to please her mother-in-law, enduring her jabs, hoping things would improve.
Vic, Im going home, she said quietly. To Mums.
What do you mean, home? Margaret snapped. Your home is here now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?
Mum, stop. Victor stepped toward Emily. What happened?
Emily stayed silent. How could she explain that his mother had just made it clearshe was nothing here? That even a plate of stew was too much for her?
Ill pack Lilys things, she said instead. Take her to Mums for the weekend.
And why would you do that? Margaret scoffed. Her grandmothers right here! Why drag her elsewhere?
Her grandmother thinks her mother isnt family, Emily replied softly. Maybe her granddaughter deserves a better place too.
She turned to leave, but Victor grabbed her wrist.
Em, wait! Just tell me what happened.
She looked back. Her husband stared at her, bewildered, while Margaret stood by the stove, pretending to stir the soup.
Ask your mother, Emily said. Shell explain it better.
In the nursery, three-year-old Lily played with her dolls. Spotting her mother, she ran over, beaming.
Mummy! Look, Im feeding Katie!
Good job, sweetheart. Emily knelt and hugged her. Are you hungry?
Yes! Granny said were having stew tonight.
We are, darling. But were going to have it at Grandma Claires instead.
Grandmas house? Lily clapped. Yay! Is Daddy coming?
No, Daddys staying home.
Emily began packing Lilys thingsdresses, tights, toyswhatever theyd need for a few days. As she folded clothes, Victor appeared in the doorway.
Em, whats this nonsense? Leaving over some silly spat?
Nonsense? Emily straightened, facing him. Your mother just told me Im not family! Took food from my plate! Is that nonsense?
You know how Mum getsshes stressed! Shell forget by tomorrow.
But I wont, Vic! This isnt the first time.
Oh, come off it! Shes just tired. Works been hard lately.
Emily laughed bitterly.
Tired? For five years? And Im the one she takes it out on?
Then ignore her!
Ignore being called an outsider in my own home? Vic, listen to yourself!
Victor rubbed the back of his neck, pacinghis tell when he was lost for words.
Em, where will you even go? Were family. We have a child.
Thats why Im leaving. I wont let Lily hear her mother belittled.
Whos belittling you? Mum just voiced her opinion.
Her opinion? Emily stopped packing. Vic, she took food from me! Said Im an outsider! Thats an opinion?
Well maybe she was harsh. But you know how she isDad died young, she raised me and my brother alone. Shes used to controlling things.
So I should live under her thumb forever?
Victor sat on the bed, taking her hands.
Em, lets not fight. Ill talk to her.
What will you say? That Im human? That I have feelings?
Yes! Ill tell her to back off.
Emily shook her head.
Vic, its not about rudeness. Its that she doesnt accept me. And youve let it happen.
She just needs time
Five years isnt enough? How much longer?
From the kitchen, Margaret called:
Victor! Dinners ready!
He stood.
Lets eat first. Then well talk.
No, thank you. Ive lost my appetite.
He hesitated, then left. Emily heard murmurs from the kitchenvoices rising, falling.
She dialed her mother.
Mum? Its me. Can we stay with you a few days?
Of course, love. Whats wrong?
Ill explain later. Were leaving now.
Alright. Ive made soupplenty for everyone.
Emily smiled faintly. Mum always said, *plenty for everyone*. Never counted portions, never withheld.
After dinner, once Lily was asleep, the women sat with tea.
Tell me what happened, Claire said, pouring.
Emily recounted the daythe stew, Margarets words. Claire listened quietly, shaking her head now and then.
How did Victor react?
Same as always. Said Mums stressed, that I should ignore it.
I see. Claire stirred her tea. And how do *you* feel?
Exhausted. Five years trying, and she still wont accept me. Always finds fault.
Like what?
Emily sighed.
I cook wrong, clean wrong, parent wrong. When Lily was ill last month, she said I was a terrible mother.
And Victor?
He stays quiet. Or says shes just worried about Lily.
Claire set her cup down.
Emily are you happy in this marriage?
The question stunned her. She gazed out the window, silent.
I dont know. I used to be. Now I feel like a stranger in my own family.
Why didnt you tell me sooner?
I thought itd pass. That Margaret would warm to me.
Seems she hasnt.
They sipped tea as rain pattered outside.
Mum when you married Dad, how did Grandma take it?
Claire smiled.
Your gran? She called me daughter from day one. Said, Now I have two. And she meant ittreated me better than her own daughter, Sarah.
Why?
Because she saw I loved her son. And he loved me. When theres love, theres room for everyone.
Emily pondered. Did Victor love her? Truly? Or was it just habit?
Her phone rang. Victors name flashed.
Emily, where are you? He sounded tense.
At Mums. Like I said.
When are you coming home?
I dont know. Maybe Sunday.
What? You work Monday!
I took leave. Said I was ill.
A pause.
Emily, enough. Come home. Well talk properly.
About what? Your mother treating me like Im nothing?
Stop overreacting! Shes just herself. Needs time.
Five years wasnt enough?
Emily, dont make this worse. Were family.
*Your* family. Mine, apparently, doesnt exist.
She hung up. Claire handed her a tissue.
Cry if you need to.
But no tears came. Only emptinessand strange relief, as if a weight had lifted.
The next morning, Claire went to the market. Emily stayed with Lily, playing, reading, molding clay. Lily was overjoyedGrandma Claire allowed everything Granny Margaret forbade.
Mummy, why arent we at home? Lily asked at lunch.
Were visiting Grandma.
How long?
Not sure, darling.
Will Daddy come?
Emily studied her daughter. So young, yet sensing something was wrong.
Daddys working. But he loves us.
Does Granny love us?
Emily exhaled.
She loves *you*. Youre her granddaughter.
And you?
Emily hesitated. How explain adult cruelty to a three-year-old?
Lets play hide-and-seek, she deflected.
Lily clapped and dashed off.
That evening, Victor called again.
Em, Mum wants to apologize.
Really?
Yeah. She realizes she was wrong.
What exactly does she realize?
That she shouldnt have said those things. That youre family.
Emily shook her head.
Vic, shes only apologizing because you made her. Not because she means it.
Does it matter? Shes willing.
It matters. Because itll happen again.
No. We talked.
What did you say?
A pause.
That youre my wife. And she has to respect you.
Respect by order?
Emily, Im on your side!
Then why wait five years? Why let her belittle me?
I didnt
You did! By staying silent.
In the background, Margarets voice:
Tell her I made soup! Her favorite, with dumplings!
Emily shut her eyes. Even now, her mother-in-law couldnt simply apologize. Had to flaunt false care.
Vic, I need time.
Time for what? Come home tomorrow.
It wont fix anything, she whispered. I cant live like this.
Like what?
Like Im not respected. Like Lilys growing up in this tension.
Emily, what are you saying?
That I need to think. About us. Our marriage.
Silence. Then:
Are you leaving me?
I dont know. Maybe.
Because of Mum?
No. Because of *you*. Because you never stood up for me. Not once in five years.
She hung up, turned off her phone. Her hands shook, but inside, she felt calmer.
Claire returned with groceries, arms full.
Help me unpack, she said. Got extra mincewell make meatballs. Lily loves them.
Emily wordlessly helped. There *was* plentyenough for seconds, thirds.
Mum, she asked suddenly, whats most important in a family?
Claire pondered.
Love, I suppose. And respect. Without those, its not a family.
And if ones missing?
Then its just misery.
Emily nodded. Her mother always had a way with simple truths.
That night, they watched cartoons with Lily snuggled between them. Warm. Safe.
Mummy, Lily yawned, are we going home tomorrow?
Maybe, Emily said. Do you want to?
Not really. Its nicer here. Grandmas kind.
Children sensed more than adults realized.
The next morning, the doorbell rang. Victor stood there, flowers in hand.
Hi, he said awkwardly. Can I come in?
Claire let him in, then busied herself with tea. Lily squealed and hugged him.
Daddy! You came!
Of course, princess. Missed you.
Victor sat beside Emily.
Em, Ive been thinking. Youre right. I shouldve defended you.
And now?
Now things change. I promise.
How?
He pulled keys from his pocket.
I rented us a flat. For a month, to start. Well live separately.
Emily stared.
Really?
Yes. Mum fought it, but I insisted. Told her my family comes first.
What did she say?
Plenty. Doesnt matter now.
Emily took the keys. Small, ordinaryyet they meant a new life. A chance without interference.
Vic, what if it doesnt work? If moneys tight?
Well manage. Ill take extra shifts.
Claire brought in tea.
Breakfast? she offered.
Thanks, Claire.
She set the tableequal portions, no one left out.
So, she said, sitting, shall we celebrate the move?
Emily looked at Victor, then her mother, then Lily happily buttering toast.
Yes, she said. We will.
Tomorrow, theyd see the new flat. Theirs. Where no one counted portions or divided people into *family* and *outsiders*.
Where thered always be a seat at the table for everyone.
