Want to get married? Patience, love, my motherinlaw would say, eyeing the swell of my belly. If its sticking out, youre an adult now. She didnt seem to mind at all.
I, Margaret, had only just realised I was pregnant. It was clear to me that my daughter, Emily, was expecting. Emily had been wrestling with how to tell us for weeks, but the words never came. Being petite, she could no longer hide the baby that was already showing. Shed just turned seventeen.
We quickly found out who the father was.
Emily had been smitten with Daniel for ages. The first day of September in Year Seven, shed spotted him among the first arrivals. Over the summer the boys grew taller, changed a bit, even seemed more mature, but they were still just lads.
Our childrens backpacks fluttered between rows of desks, theyd be late for class and sometimes skip lessons. Wed hear giggles, jokes, the usual school life.
Daniel was taller than most, quicker, better at everything. Thats when Emily fell for him a love that went unnoticed at first. She kept quiet; after all, you dont shout about it, and he didnt see her. Eventually, he did, and they started seeing each other.
Emily couldnt keep the news hidden. Their families arranged a wedding almost straight away. Emily was overjoyed.
Family life began under the roof of my motherinlaw. Daniel was the eldest of three children. His two sisters were still at school, in Year Five and Year Seven, so he had to find work.
Now youve proved you can make a child, show us youre a grownup, his mother declared. We have two daughters of our own; were not going to support your wife and child.
Emilys adult life began too. She had to abandon any thoughts of further study; even a cleaning job was denied. She ended up scrubbing the big house because she had no other work.
All the household chores fell on her. Daniels sisters laughed, relieved they no longer had to wash dishes, sweep floors, or tidy the rooms.
They even tried to make her life harder: more dirty dishes, crumbs scattered on the floor, random stains on cupboards and walls. Emily understood the abuse, it was painful, but there was no one to complain to.
Daniel worked, indifferent to what went on at home. He hadnt even started courting anyone, and frankly, he wasnt very fond of Emily.
Hed married under his parents pressure. Emily tried to speak with her own mother, but that too led nowhere. The old recipes were tossed aside.
Want to get married? Patience, love. If the bellys up, youre an adult now! the motherinlaw would repeat.
Emily soon stopped being happy with her marriage. She might have run away if not for the baby she was carrying, but even that didnt make life any easier.
There was no help with the child, and none of the household duties were cancelled. Daniel came home later and later, sometimes not at all.
Emily knew Daniel was out walking about, even guessed with whom. Her family life grew more unbearable. She lived in her motherinlaws house like a servant, weeping at night, dreaming of a future of her own.
One day, Daniels sisterinlaw, Irene Whitfield, arrived at the parents house. To Emily, Irene seemed a stern woman with a very heavy character. She watched everyone quietly, spoke little.
Emily tried to do everything well and on time. She managed, but the motherinlaw always found something to gripe about and complained to Irene. Meanwhile Daniel no longer felt ashamed to go out on dates. Their mother argued, but could do nothing.
Without my consent they married me! Live now with my wife, Daniel snapped, and walked away.
Irene observed everything. Two weeks dragged on slowly, then finally passed. She began packing to go home.
What brings you back after five years? the motherinlaw muttered as Irene gathered her things. What are you sniffing around for?
The next morning everyone headed to work. Emily offered to see Irene off.
Ill walk you out, and we can take Mary, the little one, for a stroll, Emily suggested.
Ive been watching your family, Irene said. You look exhausted, dark circles under your eyes, youre barely holding on. How do you endure all this, girl? And do you know about Daniel?
I know.
Going nowhere? Pack your bags, come with me, get a break from them.
But how? Theyll never let me back, and I have nowhere to go.
Well sort that out. Pack, and Ill push a cart by the house while we wait.
What about a ticket? I have no money.
Dont worry about that. I dont have a ticket either. In two hours a car will be here. Hurry, dont forget anything. You probably wont have to return. Ill explain everything when we get there. Its only a threehour drive.
The car pulled up at the gate of a smaller, but much nicer house. The driver steered it into the driveway and walked away.
This is the neighbour. I cant drive myself, so I ask him sometimes. If you ever want a licence, Ill help you. Make yourself at home, settle in. Your room is on the right.
Half an hour later Irene began her story.
My sister and I barely spoke. I had a daughter who went off to university and later died. Shed been into extreme sports, river descents, that sort of thing.
The first trek ended in tragedy. After that my husband left; I was alone. I went to my sister for help and to sort out the inheritance.
She told me there was no room. Daniel was married, youre his child, the daughters are all thats left. Everything now rests on you, and they dont understand that.
My sister expects everything to be done for her. Theyve dumped everything on you. Daniel doesnt care for you. Ive learned it all. No one will help you, not even your own parents.
I wanted to leave my house to Daniel, thinking hed have a family, a child. But he Ive made my decision. Hold on a little longer; everything will be yours. I think its time to file for divorce.
Ive got about a year left, roughly. Well manage. Call me Aunt Irene. Get used to the house being yours completely.
What will they say
Dont think about that. They have enough of their own problems. Keep it all for yourself, be strong for your daughter.
Irene lived a little over a year after that. Emily divorced Daniel, and he soon remarried. Relatives turned up for Irenes funeral, openly expressing displeasure at her choices. Daniel even tried to rekindle things, but the road back was gone.
Now Emily lives with her daughter in her own home. She finally got her driving licence, studies parttime at a college, and, most importantly, is learning to live on her own. She loves every minute of it.
Thats how life turns out. Legacies arent left to those who are lazy, but to those with good hearts. And thats fair enough.
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