Id had my inlaws drop by, and I hinted that they might as well whisk their daughter and grandkids back home. They waved their hands as if that settled everything. I heard the gate slam shut behind my daughterinlaw, but I paid it no mindshe liked to wander off on her own without the kids. My wife and I had grown used to feeding the grandchildren, playing with them and tucking them into bed, because the young couple were either out at work or taking a break.
When she didnt come back for the night, my nerves finally snapped.
David, wheres Eleanor? I cant get ahold of her! I asked.
Dont worry, Mum, shes off on a little holiday, he replied calmly.
What time is it? She should have been back by now, I pressed.
Shes gone up to the hills with her friends, he said.
My sons placid tone only made my head pound. How could she leave without saying a word? What kind of attitude was that?
Then another realization hit me and I couldnt shake it.
When David married Eleanor, they were both twenty. He moved in with her, both of them single, but he still wanted a proper husbandtobringhome. I had no objections. Soon they had a baby, then a second.
Thats when the whole thing started. David would bring the grandkids over in a pram, go about his own business, and in the evenings Eleanor would show up, wed all have dinner at our place, and then theyd head back to her cottage. I loved looking after the little ones; they didnt visit often, because Eleanor lived on the far side of the village, a good mile away.
But as the months passed the visits grew more frequent, and they began to stay over when it rained or snowed. My wife and I were only thrilled. I made sure the kids had something to eat, took them for walks so the young parents could nap at midday, helped with baths and laundry, and did whatever I could to keep the house running.
One day the youngsters announced they were moving in with us. I felt a surge of triumphhere I was, the best grandmother and mother in the world, finally recognised. My husband, a railway engineer who travelled all over the UK, earned a decent wage in pounds, while I kept the home shipshape. Cooking, cleaning, looking after the little onesnothing was too much for me.
But now, in my later years, I was getting weary. The grandchildren each wanted different meals, so I had to cook separate dishes, and Eleanor was often off on errands, leaving the kids to me. How could I scold her? She wasnt my child. I started asking David to have his parents wash up and tidy after themselves because I was exhausted.
Mom, Eleanors expecting another baby. She cant use our kitchen; the smell is too strong for her, he told me. She didnt want to say it to you, but could you tidy up a bit? She cant even stand a minute in there.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Another baby? My husband and I barely got any sleep; the eldest grandson was up at dawn turning the TV on and staying in our room until the late hours. Eleanor, meanwhile, fed the younger one and put him to sleep, while Davids other lad stayed at home.
David, the kids need to be near you, I urged.
Dad, well need new furniture; theres no room left. Could you move to the kitchen and well turn your bedroom into a nursery? he suggested.
I could only stare. Our cottage had two bedrooms, a pantry, a corridor and a tiny kitchen. Where will we all fit? I asked. The sofa cant even be unfolded without crushing everything.
Dont worry about David falling asleep, my wife said dryly.
So a cot for the grandson ended up in our room. Hed toddle in and out, the whole house shaking with his cries, leaving me with a pounding head each morning as if a mountain had sat on my skull.
When the inlaws came again, I hinted once more that they could take their daughter back. They waved their hands and said, Weve lived with you for five years, youve only been with us a yeardont count on us.
It struck me that things werent as they should be, but I didnt know where to turn. Even before the third child arrived, Eleanor always found an excuseshed watch the kids, then claim she was out for a stroll, while all the phones were glued to the table and we were in the garden.
Now she wouldnt bend a knee, take a child in her arms, or cook a thing. She fled somewhere, wont answer the phone, and only tells my husband whats happening. Were worried; the kids miss their mother, and she doesnt call. She says shes resting.
David, whos looking after the kids? I asked.
Me, he shrugged.
Fine, feed them and put them to bed, I said, feeling my eyes go dark. Then youll see how far I can stretch.
David didnt know the kids favourite meals or how they fell asleep, so I turned to my husband: Im at my limit; I wont lift a finger any longer.
We ended up sleeping in the kitchen to avoid disturbing David. He woke in a foul mood, but I pretended not to notice. The children wanted toast one minute, chicken the next, and I pointed to the empty fridge: Everythings in there, cook it, youre playing house now.
Two days later David rang Eleanor, begging her to return because he was at his wits end. She arrived, shouting, Cant you fry an egg or boil some pasta?! She stormed into the kitchen, pots clanging, only to find the cupboards bare.
Where are the groceries? I asked.
Did you buy them? she snapped.
Will you spare some eggs or potatoes? I pleaded.
No, fetch the chicken, collect the eggs, go shop, fill the fridge, she barked. She then gathered the kids, declared shed be away for good, and David turned on his heel, furious at his parentsinlaw.
All the while the children never asked who was paying the bills, never thanked us for the meals, never bought anything they liked. It was all on us.
Im left wondering why my kindness has been met with such coldness. I did everything out of lovewhy did they behave this way? What do you think?
