Anne was perched at the kitchen table in their modest terraced house in Manchester, watching silently as Margaret, her motherinlaw, sliced apples for an apple crumble and chatted away with the gusto of someone whod just discovered a new gossip column. The bridetobe was lost in her thoughts. It had been a month since Margaret moved in, and Anne was reaching her limit. Though her marriage to Kyle had been happy for five years, the past few weeks made her wonder whether shed made a mistake marrying the son of Mumtobe.
Anne, youre not listening to me at all! Margaret snapped, pausing her tale and pursing her lips. Im saying Kyle needs a proper job. This design firm of his is halfhearted! I spoke to a friend whos willing to take him on at her construction company. Better pay, better prospects, and a promotion in a year. Then you could stay at home, no job required.
Anne inhaled deeply, fighting the irritation bubbling up. Margaret, Kyle decides where he works. Hes an adult.
Of course hes an adult! But youre his wife, you should steer him. All that design talk isnt exactly manstuff! the motherinlaw retorted.
Hes an architectdesigner and hes brilliant, Anne said, teetering on the edge of a breakdown. The firm is great and he loves what he does.
Loves it? What about the money? They pay peanuts! And children? Youll have to raise them someday. What will you teach them?
Were not planning kids yet, Anne answered quietly, though theyd discussed it more than once. And we have enough money for now.
Not planning?! Margaret set the knife down and turned to her daughterinlaw. I knew it! Five years of marriage and still no offspring! I was raising Kyle at your age!
Anne fell silent. She wanted childrenvery much. But not now; she had just defended her PhD and landed a senior lecturer post at the university. She and Kyle had agreed: three more years to cement her academic career before thinking about a family.
Margaret, interpreting the quiet as consent, pressed on. Look at Lucy, my friends daughtershes already had three and her husband is a builder who put a proper roof over their heads.
Margaret, Anne tried again, Kyle and I will decide our own lives. I respect you, but
What do you mean well decide ourselves? the motherinlaw flared. Im his mother! I know whats best for him and for you. Youre still young and green; a mother never gives bad advice.
Anne shook her head and left the kitchen. Arguing was futile. She trudged upstairs to the small but cosy flat theyd bought two years ago with a mortgage, flopped onto the bed, and closed her eyes. She was exhaustedlecturing, marking essays, and Margarets constant nagging had drained her.
That evening Kyle came home, looking tired but pleased. Guess what? Ive been promoted to lead designer on a new project! he announced, planting a kiss on Annes cheek.
Congratulations, love! she beamed.
Kiddo, whats the project? How much are they paying? Margaret interjected.
Its a highend residential development, Mum, Kyle said, buoyant. The pay will go up, of course.
And how much? Margaret pressed.
Kyle grimaced. Does it matter? Weve got enough.
Enough? What about the mortgage? The car? Your old clunker is on its last legs! Margaret launched into a tirade, mentioning a neighbours son whod just bought a new estate car.
Mom, Im not Svets son, Kyle snapped, and Id rather finish dinner than argue.
During dinner Margaret kept doling out life lessons. Kyle stayed mostly quiet, while Anne felt a growing knot of irritation. After the meal, alone in the bedroom, she finally snapped.
Kyle, I cant take this any longer! Your mum interferes in everythingyour work, our plans, our life! When is she leaving?
Anne, Kyle sighed, she just wants the best for us. Shes always like that.
I know, Anne replied, but theres a difference between a weekend visit and living with us fulltime!
Its only temporary, Kyle tried to reassure. Shes having the flat renovated.
How long does a renovation take in a onebed flat? A month already! Anne retorted.
Your mum likes things perfect. Bear with her a little longer, alright? Kyle smiled weakly.
She nodded. What else could she do? You dont kick your motherinlaw out. But her patience was wearing thin.
The next morning, as Anne hurried to the university, Margaret appeared in the bedroom doorway.
Anne, we need to talk, she said, perching on the edge of the bed.
Im late for a lecture, can we do this tonight? Anne tried to dodge.
No, its urgent. You should quit your job.
What? Why?
Because you need to have children! You cant keep putting it off. I spoke to Kyle yesterday; he wants a baby too.
Kyle? Annes heart raced. He said that?
Not exactly, Margaret stammered, but I can see it in his eyes. Hell be a dad one day!
Anne set down her hairbrush. Margaret, I appreciate your concern, truly. But weve already decided to wait three years. Its not the right time now.
Not the right time? When will it be then? When youre forty? I was your age when I had you, Margaret exclaimed.
I know, Anne cut in. You raised Kyle at my age. Times have changed.
Exactly! Once families were everything; now everyone chases a career. Kids? Who has time for that? Margaret lamented.
A glance at the clock made Anne firm. Ive got to go. Well finish this discussion this evening, after work.
The day zipped bylectures, meetings, a departmental committee. Annes mind kept drifting back to the looming conversation. What if Margaret was right? What if Kyle really wanted a child now but was keeping quiet?
When they got home, Margaret had laid a festive spread on the sofa. Whats the occasion? Kyle asked, slipping off his shoes.
Family council! she declared, pouring wine into glasses.
Anne braced herself; she knew exactly what was coming.
Margaret raised her glass dramatically. I have news! I spoke to Ms. Gillian Harper, and she wants to take you, Kyle, into her firm!
Kyle choked on his wine. What?
Your new job! Margaret beamed. Gillian runs a big construction company and wants you as head of the design department. Double the salary, double the perks!
Kyle, Im not looking for a new job, he said firmly. Im happy where I am.
But its a golden opportunity! Margaret persisted, thrusting a stack of brochures into his hands.
Kyle pushed the papers aside. Im not reading them. Im content.
Margarets voice rose. Think about the future! How will you raise children on this pay?
We have no children yet, Kyle reminded her.
Exactlysoon youll need it! Margaret glared at Anne. You said youd quit your job, didnt you?
What? No! I never said that! Anne protested. We agreed to revisit this tonight, but Im not resigning.
Kyle nodded, though his expression showed he was upset. He loved his mother, but he needed space.
Later, after the chaos had died down, Anne pulled Kyle aside. Are you really thinking about a baby now?
He looked weary. No, love. We agreed on three years. Im just stressed about Mum.
I see shes getting on your nerves, Anne said.
Maybe we should talk to her, Kyle suggested. Explain we value her care, but we need to make our own choices.
Anne agreed. Lets do that tomorrow. Tonight she wont listen.
The next day Margaret acted as if nothing had happened, asking about weekend plans over breakfast. That evening, Anne returned from work to find her at the computer, typing furiously.
Good evening, Anne greeted. What are you up to?
Oh, just messaging a friend, Margaret replied, quickly closing the tab. The screen still displayed the headline: How to convince your adult children to have kids.
Anne sighed. Margaret, we need to talk about your controlling tendencies.
Controlling? Margaret gasped. Im just helping! A mother knows best.
Youre Kyles mother, not mine, Anne said firmly. Were both adults and we make our own decisions.
Margaret shook her head. You just dont understand. Mum always knows whats best.
Maybe, Anne conceded, but the final call has to be ours.
At that moment Kyle walked in, looking bewildered. Whats going on?
Kyle, the director called me, he said, sitting heavily. Someone asked about my salary and prospects.
What? Who?
They all turned to Margaret, who was now eyeing the tablecloth as if it held the answers.
Mum? Kyle asked, disbelief in his tone.
I just wanted to make sure youre all right! Margaret exclaimed, flailing her hands. I called the director to check on you.
You called my boss? Kyle was stunned. Thats crossing a line.
What line? Margaret asked, genuinely surprised. Im your mother! There are no boundaries!
Maybe there should be, Kyle said calmly, his fists clenched. We have a right to a private life.
Private life from your mother? Margaret sputtered. Ive raised you my whole life! Now you talk about boundaries?
Yes, Mum. Boundaries, Kyle repeated. Weve decided on a threeyear plan for kids, and well stick to it. Im happy with my current job, so I wont jump ship just because you think a higher salary is better.
Margarets eyes welled. I just dont want you to make mistakes!
Even if theyre mistakes, theyre ours, Kyle said gently. We have to live with them.
A comfortable hush fell. Anne looked at Kyle with gratitude; he finally said what hed been holding back.
How about a cup of tea? she suggested, trying to defuse the tension.
Tea sounds brilliant, Kyle agreed.
Margaret nodded, still a little hurt but beginning to understand.
The following morning Margaret announced she was moving back to her flat, now fully renovated. Anne felt both relief and a twinge of sadness for the woman who truly believed she was doing the right thing.
Margaret, youre always welcome to visit, Anne said as they said goodbye. Just maybe stay out of our decisionmaking?
Just that, Margaret replied, smiling at last. I get it now. I always wanted what was best.
I know, and we value your love, Anne said warmly. Well just make the choices ourselves when the time comes.
Margaret embraced her daughterinlaw, and for the first time in ages, Anne sensed genuine understanding between them.
When Margaret finally left, the house fell into a pleasant quiet. Anne and Kyle relished the freedom to plan their future without unsolicited advice. Three years later, as they had intended, they welcomed a baby girl named Emily. Margaret, after a short wait, got to hold her first grandchild, eyes shining.
Shes perfect, Margaret whispered, cradling the newborn. You made the right call after all.
Anne and Kyle exchanged a satisfied look. Margaret had finally learned that the best thing a mother can do is respect the choices of her grownup children. Their family now gathered regularly, sharing tea, jokes, and the occasional cheeky comment about whos the better cookthough everyone knew it was Margarets legendary scones.
And as they all sipped their tea together, Margaret smiled and said, Ive learned a lot from you two. I used to think Mum always knows best, but now I see that best means letting each person live their own life.
Thanks for the lesson, Mum, Kyle chuckled. We do appreciate it.
Yes, Anne added, its not about what we wanted, but what actually happened. And it turned out beautifully.
Margaret looked around at her son, his wife, and her new granddaughter, feeling that the dream shed chased all those years had finally arrivedjust on a slightly different timetable than shed imagined.
