Hey love, let me tell you what happened with Emily and James.
Sorry, love, for snapping at you earlier, she hurried, trying to smooth things over with Jamess mum. I didnt mean it harshly. Maybe you could pop round sometime? James is still on his own after you both split, still glued to his video games
Emily and James had been together for almost two years. To Emily it felt like a serious thing: shed often stay at Jamess family home, where they treated her politely but never with real warmth. She thought they had a solid future. James, though a bit carefree, had charm and could be determined when he wanted to.
Their idyll cracked when James flunked a crucial English exam. Hed been slacking off during lockdown, spending endless hours on his computer instead of studying, and now faced the threat of being expelled.
In the heat of the crisis Emily lost her cool and blurted out to Jamess mum:
I dont want a man who achieves nothing. I need a selfsufficient bloke. Im not going to be anyones housekeeper; we should both pull our weight, run the house and earn the money together!
Those words hung in the air and instantly threw their future into doubt.
Jamess mum took it as a personal insult. Shed spent her whole life looking after her husband and son, believing her role was to care, not to demand results. Now she expected Emily to behave the same way.
Well, isnt that something! She doesnt want to be a housewife. A womans first duty is to keep the home cosy, and a man is the head of the family!
Emily kept quiet, not wanting to make the argument worse. After that, the door stopped being opened for her. Their contact shrank to secret messages, rare phone calls and brief meetups in neutral spots. James suffered not being able to see her, but instead of being honest he fell back on manipulation.
Emily, we need to talk to my mum, James pressed over the phone. You have to tell her you dont mean what she thinks. Im tired of hiding! Cant you make peace with my parents?
Why should I prove anything to your mum? She didnt raise me. Thats your problem, not mine. Why should I bend over backwards?
Because you love me and I love you. Its the only way to fix this. If you dont, well lose each other forever
With a heavy heart, Emily agreed for love she was ready to take that humiliating step and try to explain herself to a strangers mother.
But it didnt go as she hoped
When Emily arrived, James let her into the hallway. At that moment his dad came down the stairs.
James, whats this girl doing here? he demanded sharply.
James froze. Emily felt her face go pale; the question sounded as if hed never introduced her as his girlfriend.
Dad, Emily, we were, James started, but his father cut him off:
I see who she is. Shes out!
From the living room his mum emerged:
Whos making all that noise? James, whos with you?
Ignoring Emily, the dad tossed back:
The one who taught you how to live, thats who.
Emily realised she wasnt welcome. Hurt and humiliated, she reacted on instinct.
Im leaving, stay here! Youre a pathetic, goodfornothing mamas boy! she hissed, storming out and slamming the door shut.
James was too stunned to even try to stop her.
Just as she got out of the building, her phone rang. Jamess voice was all rage, no remorse:
Why did you say that?! Youve ruined everything!
What did I ruin? Your dad just turned me into a callgirl!
Who cares who he put me where! You caused a scene! Now Mums furious and Dad wants nothing to do with me!
Then he dropped the final blow:
And the worst part? Im definitely not getting to sit at the computer anymore.
Emily felt the sting turn into cold resolve.
Youre blaming me for not being able to game? Your familys problems are yours to sort, not mine.
Everything clicked: he hadnt changed. He was still that immature lad looking for someone to blame, never stepping up to protect her.
I cant put up with this any longer, James. Were done, thats it, Emily said firmly. She blocked him everywhere. The split was sharp but necessary. His familys drama was his cross to bear, not hers.
A year later Emily had pulled herself together, started a new chapter, and was seeing a new guy. Theyd been together three months and things were heading toward an engagement.
One afternoon she ran into Margaret, Jamess mother, in a shop.
Emily, darling, hello! Margaret rushed over, like a motherinlaw who never gave up.
Emily winced.
Hello
Margaret embraced her and bombarded her with questions:
Its been ages! How are you? Hows life? I cant believe you and James split. Hes gone completely mad with his games! He wont work, spends all day on the computer. When you were together he was so much more responsible Come over for tea sometime!
Sorry, Margaret, Im busy. Work, home
Margaret glanced at Emilys hand and saw a ring.
Whats that? Are you married?
No, were only engaged. Well have the wedding this summer.
Emilys friendly smile faded as Margarets face hardened:
So thats it! Looks like James finally let you go. We dont need someone like you anyway!
Emily shrugged and turned back to the shelf. In a twisted way Margaret was right it was good James had let her go, but she regretted the time shed wasted on him.
Thats the whole mess, love. Thought youd like the drama in a proper English setting. Talk soon!
